ZOLA REITERATES NAPOLI INTEREST
Zola, 34, has been targeted by the newly promoted Serie A side throughout the summer months, but Napoli have only just been given the financial clout they would need to prise the diminutive forward from Stamford Bridge after securing a new television deal.
As recently as August 9th, Napoli general manager Fillipo Fusco had stated that they were dropping out of the hunt after it became clear that Zola had a 'gentleman's agreement' with Blues chairman Colin Hutchinson.
However, Zola's comments now suggest that he could still be set to make the switch back to his native country, and to the club where he made his name.
Zola admitted: "I am intrigued about returning to Napoli but, although they have contacted me, I am still waiting.
"They offered £700,000. Only later did I learn Chelsea's managing director, Colin Hutchinson, had asked Napoli for £3m.
"I must confess I thought that was a lot. He told me Ginola - who is a similar age - has just moved to Villa for the same amount.
"After Napoli's offer, Chelsea didn't want to know any more. But things can change very quickly. After all, I am the one who left Parma for Chelsea in 24 hours."
"I would never have thought that, at 34, I would be in such good form.
"I know I am a better player than the one who came here four years ago. This is also the reason why I wish I could go back to Italy. It is the desire to confront myself again with football in Italy.
"I told the Napoli manager Zdenek Zeman I was happy to play in his system. I believe he asked about me when he was manager with Roma.
"He explained how he would play me as a striker on the left but I would play anywhere."
The quotes mirror statements that Zola made some months ago in May, and brought to you exclusively by planetfootball.com, where he admitted: "It would be evocative to play with Zeman. It goes without saying that I have always rated him - his attacking football has always attracted."
