Gianfranco Zola believes Chelsea lost their soul last season but was shocked to see Mauricio Pochettino leave the club.
The Chelsea legend says his former club have a lot of ground to cover before challenging for the title.
- “They lost many players who were the soul of the team, the leaders, so it took time to get going but finally Pochettino got it working and it was working quite well.”
- On Mauricio Pochettino: “It was very surprising to see him leaving and I don’t know the full reasons but obviously from a supporter point of view I am disappointed.”
- On Enzo Maresca: “Don’t get me wrong, I recognise his abilities, but we were expecting somebody more experienced or high profile.”
- “Success for Chelsea next season would be to get a Champions League spot. We came close this year so if we can manage to do that, I think we can say it has been a very good season.”
- “The standard is now very high so Chelsea will have a lot of ground to cover to be on their level and challenge for the title.”
They lost many players who were the soul of the team…finally Pochettino got it working and it was working quite well
Chelsea have had a hard season especially at the beginning, but they changed a lot. They put a lot of young players in place, and lost a lot of experienced ones like Jorginho, Havertz, and Kovacic.
They lost many players who were the soul of the team, the leaders, so it took time to get going but finally Pochettino got it working and it was working quite well. It was very surprising to see him leaving and I don’t know the full reasons but obviously from a supporter point of view I am disappointed.
I think we wait and see how he handles a team like Chelsea where big expectations come with it
Enzo Maresca has a big job to do. He will need to get the players behind him to do what he wants to do.
He will need to get the supporters behind him. It will be a big task. I saw Leicester play and I was impressed by the way he got them playing so I know he has abilities and on top of that he is Italian so that is a plus! I was surprised by his appointment.
Firstly, I didn’t think Pochettino would leave but also because he was a name we didn’t know was there. Don’t get me wrong, I recognise his abilities, but we were expecting somebody more experienced or high profile. I think we wait and see how he handles a team like Chelsea where big expectations come with it.
Success for Chelsea next season would be to get a Champions League spot
In terms of ability, I think the team have that, but I believe a young team needs to have experienced players among them to guide them through the journey. I totally believe that a good mix of quality players is important so that they can really show the way to the young ones. If Chelsea can get a few experienced players in, that would be fundamental.
Success for Chelsea next season would be to get a Champions League spot. We came close this year so if we can manage to do that, I think we can say it has been a very good season.
Considering that the competition now has become incredibly strong with Man City, Liverpool, and now Arsenal coming very strong, it is tough. A Champions League spot for us will be a fantastic achievement. The standard is now very high so Chelsea will have a lot of ground to cover to be on their level and challenge for the title. There is a lot of work to do.
Chelsea are fourth-favourites to win the 2024/25 Premier League season come May of next year, behind Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool, las campaign's top three.
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