| |
 |  |
|
| Zola wishes Ancelotti well |
Friday 19 June, 2009 |
|
West Ham United manager Gianfranco Zola believes Carlo Ancelotti has all the necessary tools to succeed at Chelsea.
Ancelotti joined the Blues on July 1, signing a three-year contract after 413 games in charge of Milan.
“For Carlo, it's an opportunity to put himself back in discussion,” Zola told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“He will have enormous motivations and with his capacity and the means of Chelsea he cannot do well, but very well.
“He can interrupt the domination of Manchester United and make the Premier League more exciting.”
On being asked if Ancelotti will ever speak as good English as he does, Zola replied: “Carlo earns enough to allow himself a good teacher.”
Zola went on to discuss West Ham's recent activity in the transfer market, which includes an approach for Inter midfielder Luis Jimenez.
The Chile international is wanted on loan and West Ham are apparently waiting for him to receive a work permit.
“We hope [to have him]. He is one of those guys who plays the way I like. In England, it is not easy to sign non-EU players, but I believe the problems can be resolved.”
Later in the interview, Zola reflected on his failed bid to sign temperamental Inter striker Mario Balotelli.
“I did everything to have Mario for our own good and his. He didn't find space at Inter. Unfortunately for us it didn't go through, but I am happy for him.”
Zola also rejected speculation, which suggests Balotelli will leave Italy after several episodes of racism.
“Mario is very extroverted. He knows that at times his attitude attracts antipathy, but he is intelligent and learning how to handle certain situations.
“He is defiant, brazen even. This is his value,” Zola added.
Turning his attention to Serie A, Zola lamented the sale of Kaka, who left Milan for Real Madrid.
“It's a very ugly blow for our football. Sure, the athletes go where they pay them well, but also where they find entertainment.
“It hasn't been like this in Italy for a long time. To recover enthusiasm we have to start again from ABC and stop depending on the result alone.
“We have to start again from the passion and the culture of sport. Those phrases seem like clichés, but sport is not a business or at least you can't treat it as such.
“The people become estranged [if it is treated as a business]. Football is no longer the leading principal,” he concluded.
|
|
|
| |
| |
