The De Zerbi quote that will have Chelsea fans TERRIFIED

Robin Bairner

• 6 Mar 2024 07:50 GMT
• 3 min read

Robert De Zerbi is one of Chelsea’s options to replace Mauricio Pochettino – but the Brighton manager has made a confession that should terrify fans of the Stamford Bridge side.

The Italian finds himself on a two-man shortlist along with Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim to replace Pochettino should the Argentine be fired.

The ex-Tottenham and PSG boss is clinging to his job at present. Following a 2-2 draw against Brentford on Saturday, Chelsea fans jeered another disappointing display, with the Blues anchored into the middle of the Premier League table for a second successive season, despite another huge transfer spend.

READ MORE: How much will it cost for Chelsea to sack Pochettino?

A fourth permanent manager of the Todd Boehly era could well follow, with De Zerbi the favourite of many to take the post after an impressive stint on the south coast.

Chelsea have already been stung by appointing Graham Potter from Brighton, and while the 44-year-old may appear like a great fit for the side, a comment he made to Sky Sports last season suggests that he is less than perfect.

“I don't work to win trophies, my target is to enjoy and be happy,” De Zerbi admitted in an interview.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer rumours

He also admitted: “You can’t change your DNA, and my DNA is the same when I was a player.

“I studied different styles of football in the past. My vision is different from the typical Italian vision of football.

“There isn’t only one way to play, I know that very well, but I have my vision and my style.

“I have to be myself 100%.”

Is De Zerbi right for Chelsea?

While Chelsea fans would naturally welcome De Zerbi’s attractive style of football, what the Blues really crave at the moment is some success.

The club is not one built for mediocrity, so to find themselves so far off the pace in the Premier League is embarrassing.

Pochettino led Chelsea to the Carabao Cup final, in which they lost 1-0 to Liverpool, while the Blues remain active in the FA Cup, which is a competition that could yet salvage something from their season.

He looks unlikely to be the answer, but the question must be whether De Zerbi’s freewheeling attitude is right for Chelsea either.