Sport
Gianfranco Zola Critiques Chelsea’s Decision to Sell Key Players
Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola has voiced his opinion that the club’s decision to sell three key players was a major factor in their early-season struggles last year.
Chelsea ultimately finished sixth in the Premier League, showing improvement in the latter part of the campaign.
Zola pointed to the sales of Kai Havertz to Arsenal, Mateo Kovacic to Manchester City, and Jorginho to Arsenal in January 2023 as significant setbacks.
He emphasized that these players were integral to the team’s core and leadership.
“Chelsea had a difficult start to the season, mainly because they underwent significant changes. They introduced many young players while losing experienced ones like Jorginho, Havertz, and Kovacic.
These players were the heart and soul of the team, and their absence was deeply felt,” Zola shared with Ladbrokes.
Despite the challenging transition, Zola acknowledged that Pochettino eventually managed to get the team back on track. However, he expressed disappointment over the changes and Pochettino’s subsequent departure.
Zola, who played over 300 games for Chelsea between 1996 and 2003, remains a passionate supporter of the club and its direction.
José Mourinho has shared his thoughts on the 2026 Ballon d’Or award and what he believes makes a player deserving of the prestigious honour.
Mourinho was asked about the players in contention for the award and stated that, in his opinion, the best player in the world does not necessarily have to be the one who wins trophies.
He said: “For me, the best player in the world can also be one without trophies.”
The 2026 Ballon d’Or race is currently dominated by several top contenders, with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Lionel Messi and other nominees are also in contention.
The 2026 Ballon d’Or nominees have been revealed, showing the players who have the chance to win the Ballon d’Or award this year.
Here is the list of players nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or:
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid, England)
- Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona, Spain)
- Marc Cucurella (Chelsea/Real Madrid, Spain)
- Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
- Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich, Colombia)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, Portugal)
- Gabriel (Arsenal, Brazil)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City, Norway)
- Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco)
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, England)
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Paris Saint-Germain, Georgia)
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona, Spain)
- Sadio Mané (Al-Nassr, Senegal)
- Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain, Brazil)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan, Argentina)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, France)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, Argentina)
- João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
- Michael Olise (Bayern Munich, France)
- Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain, Ecuador)
- Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah, México)
- Declan Rice (Arsenal, England)
- Rodri (Manchester City, Spain)
- Fabián Ruiz (Paris Saint-Germain, Spain)
- William Saliba (Arsenal, France)
- Ferran Torres (Barcelona, Spain)
- Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich, France)
- Vinícius Jr. (Real Madrid, Brazil)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, Portugal)
Barcelona footballer Lamine Yamal has spoken about the Ballon d’Or award and shared how he will not campaign for the award.
He said: “I don’t think I need to campaign for the Ballon d’Or. Everyone is entitled to think whatever they want.
“I’m not here to campaign, and I’m not going to beg for anything. That’s your job. It’s not on me.
“Winning the Ballon d’Or does not depend on me. The work we’ve done with Barça and the national team has been unbelievable.
“I’ll be grateful to my teammates at Barça and with the national team if I win it, of course.”
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