Chelsea: Giafranco Zola repeats history at the Blues
By Travis Tyler
Giafranco Zola is linked to a move to Chelsea. He will be met by skepticism by many, but he could be the golden goose Chelsea needs going forward.
Zola came to Chelsea with a lot of question marks from others. Many saw him as too old or questioned whether he would adjust to the Premier League. During his time with Chelsea, he proved all of his doubters wrong and saw his number unofficially retired.
Fast forward a few years and Zola tried his hand at management. He bounced from club to club, mostly in England, and failed to make his mark at any of them. Now he is being linked to a return to Chelsea in some capacity.
The Maurzio Sarri rumors now take add ons. It seems clear that Sarri will happen, but increasingly the rumors include players or, in this case, Zola returning to the back room staff. Zola has rumored to be both Sarri’s assistant manager and the director of football.
Assistant managers are generally more motivational than tactical. Their job is to inspire the squad to follow the manager’s direction and to implement the manager’s direction. There is very little they create on their own and they are mostly man management oriented.
Zola could excel in such a role. The man oozes class and charisma everywhere he goes. And the Chelsea players will have heard his name time and time again over the years and how much he meant for the club. Zola also visits often, so he would be a familiar face to many.
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The concern will come if Sarri goes. Steve Holland had been assistant manager under many Chelsea managers, creating a link that strengthened the squad over time. Would Zola stay if Sarri went? That is an important question to ask before appointing Zola as an assistant.
Perhaps because being an assistant is by its nature submissive to another leader, and because of a vacancy, Zola has been linked to the director of football position. This would put him in control of transfers and more on the Sarri’s level, albeit farther away from the pitch.
It is clear that Zola’s strengths are not in managing. He has tried his hand at it at several clubs of varying size and has failed at each. Though he could be an assistant manager, he might be better served in a visionary role. Hence, the director of football rumors.
Zola is incredibly wise and has a deep knowledge of the game. To be a director of football, he will have to see the weaknesses in the squad and scout out the available/affordable players to fill the hole. He would work closely with the academy, the first team, and the board to put together the best footballing side possible.
There is no evidence that Zola cannot perform that role. But there is also no evidence that he can. It is simply uncharted territory for all involved. And though Chelsea are likely painting themselves into a place where they can only get an inexperienced director of football, making the wrong choice can be catastrophic.
And once more, if Sarri leaves, does that mean Zola does as well? Leaving as an assistant would be understandable and a blow Chelsea could take. Leaving as a director of football would be crippling.
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Chelsea would do well to have Zola back at the club, but it cannot be for sentimental purposes only. If he comes back, the board must be sure he will stay and improve the club. Otherwise, they are only looking backwards in hopes it will take them forward.