Zola on Hazard, Ampadu return, comparing Lampard and Barkley and what makes Mount special

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Gianfranco Zola took Tuesday’s pre-match media conference [Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire]

Chelsea assistant boss Gianfranco Zola spoke about a number of issues at a media conference on Tuesday ahead of the Blues’ Carabao Cup game against Frank Lampard’s Derby at Stamford Bridge. Here’s what the Italian had to say. 

On Lampard’s return to the Bridge

Chelsea legend Lampard will get a hero’s welcome back to Stamford Bridge. [Dave Howarth/PA Wire]

“I’m sure it will be a big night for him – very similar to me when I first came back with West Ham. I’m sure he’s very much looking forward to the game.

“We are looking forward to it as well. We’re very pleased to welcome him. He’s a legend of the club, done so much for the club, and we really wish him the best to do well as a coach.

“On a personal note, I can only say it’s been a pleasure for me to have him as a companion many years ago. We spent some time together, not only on the pitch but also on the training ground.

“It is no surprise to me he is doing well. He is going to do well in the new role in football because he’s always had a great attitude towards the game and what has to be done to become good in this game.

“I think you can see when somebody has a future in this (management) position because to succeed as a coach you really need the ability to think over things.

“It seemed to me that Frank has always had this ability. He was a player that had a lot of physicality and technicality but also he spent time and dedicated a lot of energy to football, not only on the pitch but also off the pitch.

“These qualities are very important for the job he’s doing and it seems to me that it’s going very well.”

On Jody Morris

“I didn’t want to forget Jody, absolutely. I think he is the perfect match for him (Lampard).

“I don’t know Jody as a coach because I didn’t come across him, but everybody at the club here speaks very highly about his coaching abilities.

“And from what I see from the way Derby play, they’re really doing a great job.”

On Derby

“We’re going to study them and how they play. We know their strengths and we’re going to be working on that.

“We certainly respect their value because we know it’s a very good team. They have good players. We will have to play the game with a lot of respect for them, otherwise there will be trouble.”

On Eden Hazard

Hazard has been nursing a back problem. [Picture: Victoria Jones/PA Wire]

“He’s certainly much better. Maybe tomorrow he’s going to be joining us in training.

“I’m not sure he’s going to be involved in the game tomorrow but he’s looking very good for the weekend, so we are pleased because that’s such an important player for us.”

On other injury news

Ampadu is yet to make a first-team appearance for Chelsea this season. [Picture: Adam Davy/PA Wire]

“Pedro has had a stomach ache and he came off on Sunday. He was getting better but I think there is still a little problem, so we don’t know. We are going to assess him tomorrow.

“Giroud has a little fatigue problem with one of the legs and we’re going to assess him as well.

“Ampadu has been back in training yesterday, and today or tomorrow we’re going to decide if he’s going to be part of the team.”

On Hazard’s winner at Liverpool in the previous round

Hazard scored a brilliant winner at Anfield. [Martin Rickett/PA Wire]

“It was an amazing goal. The finishing, the power, the ability to go through so many players – it was exceptional.

“Everybody was stunned because we didn’t expect anything from that situation.

“This is the ability of players like Eden. They can turn something into a goal.

“He has the ability of the special players and we are very happy we have one of them.”

On the tragedy at Leicester and parallels with the death of Matthew Harding

“I think he died three weeks before I came here. But I know for sure that he was such an important person for the club. He has been a key figure for the club when the club needed it the most.

“It was a club really going in the right direction. I think this is also down to him. He wasn’t there when I was there, but I think I was enjoying a good time at Chelsea also because of him. Everybody recognises that.

“As a club we are very close to what happened to Leicester. We really hope something good will happen to them like many years ago happened to us when a tragedy like that happened.

“Sometimes things like that can make a group stronger and this is what I really wish for them.”

On Maurizio Sarri’s impact

Chelsea remain unbeaten under Sarri. [Picture: Steve Paston/PA Wire]

“Nothing is a coincidence. Sarri was known as a coach that works very hard with his team. He really pays attention to everything, so I think a consequence of doing well is his ability to work hard.

“On top of that you have to add that the team is following his advice very well. Players are getting benefit from what they do – you can see it.

“For example Ross Barkley and Ruben (Loftus-Cheek). Young players are picking it up very well so it means they are enjoying the type of football he is trying to implement here.

“This is creating a good working environment and the results are a consequence of this.”

On comparisons between Lampard and Ross Barkley

Barkley has scored in his last three games. [Picture: AP Photo/Rui Vieira]

“Frank Lampard at making it in the box was exceptional. I think he was one of the best midfielders I have ever seen in that quality – attacking the box and getting in the box at the right moment. That’s why he scored so many goals.

“I think Ross likes to play more with the ball, to be involved in the action, and what I see in the last two or three weeks is that his scoring ability is also coming on very well.

“I knew from the beginning that he has this ability. But at first it wasn’t showing because he was very much involved in learning tactically what the team needs him to do, but now he is getting that freedom.”

On Mason Mount

Mount has impressed on loan at Derby. [Picture: Mike Egerton/PA Wire]

“I came across him when I first came here and I was analysing the players we had on loan.

“He was one of the first players I analysed and I said ‘This player is for us’.

“It was the plan to keep him for at least pre-season with us, but then an opportunity came to send him and play in England in such a competitive league like the Championship. The club decided that it was good for him.

“I like him very much because he is one of those players that has the mental speed to work out things very quickly and you can see the way he plays.

“Physically, obviously he has to improve. The Premier League is a different level. But he’s getting on very well.

“So I’m pleased for him and I’m looking forward to seeing him in action tomorrow playing at Stamford Bridge.

“I’m sure he will be even more up for it and it will be important to get even more indications for us.”




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