Gianfranco Zola urges fans to give more time to Maurizio Sarri

Chelsea legend and assistant manager Gianfranco Zola has urged the hierarchy to give sufficient time to Maurizio Sarri after he was appointed as the Blues’ new head coach. The 59-year-old was recruited by the Blues earlier this month after an extended transfer saga and Zola believes that he board should offer the tactician with some leverage to make an impression.

He said: “As long as the people at the club support the club, have a little bit of patience with him, I'm sure they will get what they are expecting. I like the way his teams play football. They are very organised, very good defensively but also play very good football.I've always liked coaches that promote this type of football.I believe this is the type of philosophy this club is looking for at the moment. I think it can be a very good marriage. Maurizio can give the club exactly what it is looking for.”

Sarri was famed for playing quick-passing football during his time at Napoli and the Blues supporters can expect more of the same at Stamford Bridge, should the players manage to adapt quickly to his system. As of now, the Blues have made just one summer signing in the form of Jorginho from Sarri’s former club but there could be more activity in the coming weeks with the central defensive and striker positions under consideration to strengthen.

Juventus’ Daniele Rugani has been earmarked as the prime choice to bolster the centre-back department this summer but so far, the Bianconeri have not given the green light to push through a move. On the other hand, Rugani’s teammate Gonzalo Higuain has also been associated with the Blues with reports suggesting that the Serie A holders would fancy selling the Argentine instead. Higuain is presently rated at around £53m and has been touted to replace Alvaro Morata.