BLUES TARGET CARBONE TO REPLACE ZOLA
Zola has been linked with a return home to his native Italy in the summer after indicating that he would like to play in Serie A again before retiring and he has admitted he will make his decision at the end of the season, with his family, about seeing out the final year of his contract or returning home.
Ranieri has been lining up new signings to possibly replace the influential Zola and his fellow countryman Carbone is believed to be his first choice.
Carbone, who saw a move to Middlesbrough collapse on transfer deadline day, is expected to leave Bradford when, as virtually certain, they are relegated this season.
The former Sheffield Wednesday ace, who has been on the transfer list at Valley Parade since January, has recently won his place back in the side, but Bantams boss Jim Jefferies admitted although he would like the Italian to lead them back into The Premiership next season he would be a 'financial burden' to the side in the First Division.
It was widely expected that Carbone would return to Italy after quitting Bradford but Ranieri is keen to offer him the chance to extend his stay in England with a move to Stamford Bridge.
The former Atletico Madrid coach admitted he would be speaking to Carbone after Zola had made his decision on his future and although he hoped his star forward would stay he had to be prepared to have a replacement in mind.
"It's a situation that I am not looking forward to, Zola is a fantastic player," said Ranieri on Italian television "He would still have a role to play for me if he decides to stay, and we are constantly talking about the subject.
"However I must also be aware that if he does decide to go, then I must have a replacement ready to come in. Finding someone to take over will be hard, but we already have some players in mind, and Carbone certainly would be a player we would consider.
"It looks like his current team Bradford will struggle to stay up this season, and I believe that if he was to be offered the chance then he would like to stay in the Premiership."
Ranieri knows Carbone from his time managing in Serie A and he is hopeful that the possible attraction of playing in Europe with a big side like Chelsea would make Carbone put off a move back to Italy and try his luck in East London.
