Gianfranco Zola reveals that when he returned home to Cagliari in 2003, new Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich ‘asked if he could buy’ the Serie A club instead.
Magic Box sat down with Sky Sport Italia this evening and looked back over his career, including the move from Parma to Chelsea in January 1997 due to tactical and personality clashes with coach Carlo Ancelotti.
“It proved to be the best thing for all concerned, really,” said Zola. “Parma had Enrico Chiesa and Hernan Crespo, so it was an entirely fair decision.”
The Italy international became a legend at Stamford Bridge, one of the first truly big stars to move to the Premier League at that time.
He returned to his hometown club Cagliari in the summer of 2003, during a time when Chelsea was sold by Ken Bates to Abramovich, starting a whole new era for the Premier League side.
“I received a call from Ken Bates, who at the time was still the owner. He knew I was in talks with Cagliari for a return to Sardinia. He said ‘Gianfranco, I hope you haven’t signed yet. Wait, because someone will come – I cannot give you his name right now – but he will make you change your mind.’
“I told Bates that I was sorry, but I’d already given my word. I found out the next day it was Abramovich, who had bought the club.”
Zola was asked about the story that Abramovich then called Cagliari President Massimo Cellino to enquire about buying Zola, so when the answer was no, the Russian magnate asked how much it would cost to buy the whole club instead.
“That’s what Cellino said happened,” confessed Zola.
“I know that when Abramovich bought the club, he thought I was a Chelsea player, so he tried to get me back. He didn’t know that I had already made my decision and given my word.”
He made 310 competitive appearances in the Chelsea shirt, contributing 78 goals and 26 assists.