Zola considers postponing retirement
Former Chelsea favourite Gianfranco Zola is facing a summer of speculation as he ponders continuing his career with Cagliari after yet another excellent season.
The evergreen frontman, 39 in July, came off the bench to bag two superb goals in the Sardinians’ final league game – a 4-2 defeat to champions Juventus.
That took the ex-Chelsea man’s total for the campaign to nine, and meant Cagliari finished an impressive 12th in the Serie A table.
The speculation is now set to build as to whether Zola will opt to stay on for another season at the club he joined from Chelsea in 2003.
“It’s going to be a very important decision considering what kind of character I’ve got, because if I decide to continue, I want to give the maximum,” he said.
“In other words, I want to be 100% certain. But the willingness to continue is always there.”
Zola faced an almost identical situation last summer. After guiding the team to promotion from Serie B, he was linked with a move back to England and Chelsea in a coaching capacity.
However, the mercurial playmaker decided to stay at his spiritual home and help his side battle to stay with the Italian big-boys.
But now, after such a dazzling cameo against Juve, Zola could decide the time is right to call a halt to his long playing career.
“To conclude the season by scoring two goals is beautiful even if we have lost at the Delle Alpi, it’s been a wonderful day,” he added.
“Now I just want to relax. It’s been a long season, but very positive when you consider that Cagliari have remained in Serie A and have reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia.”
