Gianfranco Zola has recently revealed what it’s like to work under Maurizio Sarri.
When Sarri took over the Blues’ managerial helm in the summer, the club hierarchy picked Zola as his No2, the Chelsea legend reportedly preferred by the ex-Napoli boss with the hope that, being both Italians, they will be able to work together in no time at all.
Judging by the early results, the ploy seems to be working. Months into the new campaign, Sarri and Zola have guided the west London club to an unbeaten run in all competitions with six wins and three draws. In the Premier League, the Blues occupy third spot, just two points behind pre-season title favourites Manchester City and Liverpool.
Not only are the Blues excelling results-wise, they also are impressing with Sarri’s preferred style of play, which is neat, considering the 59-year-old expected a period of adaptation for the Chelsea squad to adapt Sarrismo, his free-flowing, easy-on-the-eye brand of football.
The relationship between the two compatriots seems to have flourished quicker than many expected and Zola, a classy forward in his seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, recently lifted the lid on what it’s like to work under Sarri.
“It’s a lot, the level of details that he puts,” said the Blues legend in an interview with a British television show. “He really doesn’t leave anything by chance. So when the players go out on the pitch the players know everything about what they have to do and that’s a big help.”
“He’s obsessed with knowing everything about the opposition and then going to the pitch to prepare everything. He knows player by player. All the key players of the opposition, how they defend, how they attack and so therefore doing everything to stop them from playing and playing around them, there is a lot of work.”
Zola was also asked on whether the Naples native gives him homework to which he replied: “I can not stop, I am watching more games in the last two months than in the last five years.”
