Zola on Hudson-Odoi’s future, Loftus-Cheek, Higuain and the ‘slight edge’ Chelsea have over Man Utd
Chelsea assistant boss Gianfranco Zola spoke about a number of issues at a media conference ahead of the Blues’ FA Cup game against Manchester United. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
On how much he is looking forward to the game
“Very much. I think it’s a classic. It’s a great game – for the whole country the FA Cup is always a very interesting fixture.
“Plus they (United) are in a really good moment and a good challenge is what we need right now.”
On facing United as a player
“I had fantastic memories. I know that he (Sir Alex Ferguson) always liked to mark me with (Phil) Neville all the time and it wasn’t very pleasant for me – I didn’t like it!
“But it has always been a fantastic game. It’s a fantastic game that supporters like a lot. So we are very up for it.”
On a vital run of games
“We know that it’s a crucial moment. We have some very important matches.
“The next three matches are United in the fifth round, Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and then we have Tottenham in the league where we’re going to playing for the Champions League spot.
“So it’s an important moment. It’s very challenging. I think the key will be to face each task by itself.
“The first one is going to be United. Then we’re going to think about City and then Tottenham.”
On the players wanting to atone for recent defeats
“Of course. Nobody is pleased when you lose games the way we lost recently.
“We know that we have to be consistent. We all know this and it’s very important that everyone understands the situation – coaches and players and the club.”
On Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s impact at United since replacing Jose Mourinho
“I am pleased, first of all – that is the first feeling I have. I am pleased to see him doing well.
“United wasn’t going through a good moment before but I knew the value of the team and I knew they were going to come back.
“Obviously what Ole has done in this small amount of time is remarkable.
“You can see it’s a team that at the moment is enjoying what they are doing and they are committed, working for each other as a group.
“When you have this attitude and the qualities they have the results can be only good.
“It’s strange because they had a very good coach before and sometimes things don’t work out.
“But the value of the team wasn’t in doubt and it’s no surprise that now they’re doing what they’re doing.
“It’s a team that has a lot of resources and it seems to me they are using all of them, so we will have to play at our best of we want to win.”
On whether replays being scrapped is an advantage for Chelsea
“It can be an advantage because playing at Stamford Bridge in front of our supporters is an advantage of course.
“But if you want that advantage, you have to use it and perform well. It’s not going to be enough just to play at Stamford Bridge.
“We have a slight edge in my opinion, which is Stamford Bridge, but we will have to add something on top of that.”
On Gonzalo Higuain
“He’s settling in well. The first game he was OK. He’s doing well and progressing very well.
“He’s a player that when it comes to scoring goals he’s very sharp and I’m sure he will get better and better because his physical condition is improving day by day.
“I think also that he is adapting to rhythm of the Premier League and this will help him to be sharper. He’s in a good place and he can be better.”
On fans being unhappy about Callum Hudson-Odoi being overlooked
“Sorry, but I disagree with this. He is always on the edge of the team. As soon as there is an opportunity he plays – sometimes from the beginning, sometimes he comes on.
“So I think the manager is giving plenty of reasons to make him feel involved and wanted.
“Again, I want to stress this; there are not many 18-year-olds in Europe playing for top clubs as much as he is doing,” Zola said.
“He is a player we appreciate and we believe is growing up and has a bright future in the club. Maurizio and the whole coaching group like him.
“Please, you need to understand that he is surrounded by top players and you have to work hard to be better than them.
“We want to make sure that he plays and also that he keeps improving, because he can still do better than he is doing.”
On whether Chelsea have any injuries
“Absolutely no. We have no injuries. Actually it was good (against Malmo) because we had gone two goals up and had the possibility to drop (substitute) some players to rest them, like Jorginho, Willian and Pedro.”
On the kind of team Chelsea might field
“We’re going to have to assess a few players because also we have Ruben Loftus-Cheek who is maybe going to be available.
“We haven’t spoken about what the team is going to be like, but because it’s the fifth round of the FA Cup and because of the team we’re playing against, we want to win and go through, so I believe it’s going to be a strong team.”
On Olivier Giroud scoring against Malmo
“I was very pleased about the goal Olivier Giroud scored. He played very well and I’m pleased for him because obviously when Higuain came in it has left him a little bit out of the team.
“To be fair he is a player who works hard all the time and never complains. I was so pleased to see him scoring and playing well.”
