Chelsea legend Zola believes that the club has lost its “soul” after selling several key players in the past two years, resulting in a struggling performance on the pitch.
Last season, under former manager Pochettino, Chelsea battled through immense difficulties throughout the campaign. According to Zola, the Blues’ transfer policy has been problematic, with the departure of seasoned players forcing the team to rely on young talents in the Premier League. Among those sold, Zola laments the loss of Jorginho, Kovacic, and Havertz the most.
Zola commented, “Chelsea had a tough season, especially at the beginning, but they improved a lot as it went on. They fielded many young players and lost experienced ones like Jorginho, Havertz, and Kovacic – the heart and leaders of the team. It takes time to adjust when you lose that. Pochettino managed to get the team going, and it worked quite well. So, I was surprised when he was sacked; I don’t know all the reasons, but from a fan’s perspective, I was disappointed.”
Zola played for Chelsea between 1996 and 2003, making over 300 appearances for the club. He is regarded as a great legend among Chelsea fans and holds an esteemed reputation at Stamford Bridge.