Former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri will look to link-up with Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola if the Italian succeeds Antonio Conte at Chelsea according to multiple reports.
The Guardian and the Telegraph both write that Sarri is close to being announced as manager of Chelsea and that he will bring Zola in as his assistant coach.
Zola hasn't been in management since his ill fated stint with Birmingham City, the 51-year-old was sacked at St. Andrews in 2017 after only winning twice in 24 games.
Chelsea are currently in an awkward position with regards to their managerial position. Napoli have replaced Sarri as head coach with Carlo Ancelotti, but the Italian is still under contract with the Serie A side, and it will cost Chelsea roughly £7 million if they want to buy out Sarri's contract. Meanwhile they will have to sack current manager Antonio Conte with the former Juventus manager holding out for up to £9 million in compensation.
Sarri is coming off of a disappointing season for Napoli, with the Naples club coming agonisingly close to a Serie A title only to crumble in the last couple of games.
Speaking to Corriere dello Sport Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has warned the Premier League side that they will have to cough up in order to land Sarri:
If [Chelsea open talks] I would sit politely and listen, reflect and then give the response that was best for Napoli. I want to make one thing clear: this is not a club to be pillaged, this is not a club to be underestimated. I am here to discuss and have already said that, if called, I would be reasonable.
Italian sources state that De Laurentiis will not seek the maximum release clause from Chelsea in order to hire Sarri, and that £3.5 million will be enough to prise the coach from the club.
