Zola: Mourinho An Artist; Giovinco My Successor

Zola: Mourinho An Artist; Giovinco My Successor :D

Chelsea and Italian football legend Gianfranco Zola has spoken of the upcoming football season in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport and has no doubt that Jose Mourinho will be an immediate hit in Serie A.



"The Nerazzurri have landed a great coach," he said. "I know him very well, forget the media hype and the Special One stuff: that's simply a game. He's a bulldozer on the pitch!

"You want to know why he is adored by players? Because he got rid of the unimportant stuff, such as uphill runs, and prefers to concentrate on working with the ball."

He also spoke about the possible arrival of one of Mourinho's favourites at Stamford Bridge.

"Plus if they get Lampard, the fans are in for a treat: he's a winner," he said.

"I also reckon that a creative genius like Messi would fit in well at Inter. I would splash out on him."

The diminutive fantasista, who is currently working with the Italian Olympic team as an assistant to coach Casiraghi, also talked about the Italian football scene as a whole and the fact that he has found an heir at last.

"It's Giovinco," he declared. "I see myself in him, same talent, same height and determination to work hard to succeed. He has more than enough to be the new Del Piero at Juve."

As for the other young talents gracing Serie A, he singled out Mario Balotelli who will be part of the next U21 team and that "could become the new Ibra". Other promising youngsters commended by Zola include Montolivo, Rossi ("the Italian Messi"), Candreva and Russotto.

"Napoli have a top-class player in the making too: Marek Hamsik has been a great investment for a team that deserve to compete for the Scudetto in the future," he added.

But for the time being the title will be contended by the usual sides: "Roma are a joy to watch and Spalletti has worked magic in the capital. Finally I'm very much intrigued by Fiorentina, with Stevan Jovetic having the potential to follow in [Roberto] Baggio's footsteps."

Stefano Moretti / goal.com