Abramovich a ‘big fan’ of Zola

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has revealed that club owner Roman Abramovich is a “big fan” of Watford boss Gianfranco Zola.

The Blues are set to replace interim boss Rafa Benitez at the end of the season and the 56-year-old believes that the Italian is one of four leading candidates alongside Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini, Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone and Gus Poyet of Brighton and Hove Albion.

Wilkins, who worked as assistant manager at Stamford Bridge between 2008 and 2010, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think there are four contenders — Pellegrini, Simeone, Gus Poyet and I also know for a fact he’s a big fan of Gianfranco Zola, who is doing a tremendous job at Watford.”