Zola urges Sarri haste for Chelsea’s, Conte’s, and his own sake

Gianfranco Zola can see all the smoke, just like the rest of us can. He knows a Sarri deal is (probably) in the offing. He knows (but won’t publicly acknowledge) that there’s a strong chance he’ll be part of the new operation.

Which likely explains why the delay is killing him.

“I am in a very difficult situation as I am part of the speculation. I really hope whatever happens, that it happens quickly.

”At the moment you need to have a clear situation as quickly as possible.”

Amen to that.

While Zola’s as impatient as the rest of us are — maybe even more so — for Chelsea’s bizarre coaching change to happen, he’s in an extra-tricky place. That’s because he admires both coaches. In fact, only a couple of months ago he went on a mini-campaign to try to talk Antonio Conte and Chelsea off of the ledge and back into a workable relationship.

That never happened, of course, leaving him in an awkward spot and hoping for a quick resolution.

“We are talking about two coaches that I respect a lot - Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri. For me to say more on this situation is difficult.”

“It is difficult because I have respect for him. I really wish that a quick solution that would be good for both parties is found. Time is important.”

He’s a good man. We already knew that. It’s one of the reasons we love him. And that love is returned. The rapport Zola built with Chelsea supporters over seven years, including a fan vote naming him Chelsea’s best player of all time, is a strong as ever. It sounds like he can’t wait to return.

“It is in my blood of course. Chelsea is a place where you need to be good and work hard. That is all I can say, it is a special club. We will see what happens.”

-Gianfranco Zola; source: Sky Sports

What’s going to happen is a lot of goodwill and cheering — needed, after what’s already been an extra-calamitous summer — if Zola finally shows up at Stamford Bridge once again. Which, like Sarri, will be confirmed any day now. We’re sure of it. Absolutely.