Gianfranco Zola has been re-admitted to hospital after undergoing surgery to a cure a gallstone problem.
The Chelsea assistant manager had an operation last week that caused him to miss Monday's loss against Manchester United in the FA Cup fifth round.
But Zola has suffered complications from the operation and has been hospitalised again as a result.
Zola will therefore miss Thursday night's Europa League clash against Malmo at Stamford Bridge.
It remains to be seen whether the Italian will play any part in Chelsea's preparations for Sunday's Carabao Cup Final against Manchester City or be available to take his place on the bench at Wembley.
Chelsea will allow Zola as much time as he needs to make a full recovery and do not want to put a timescale on his return.
The news could complicate Chelsea's pending decision over the bleak future of under-fire manager Maurizio Sarri.
The Blues boss is on the brink of the sack with the board, players and fans all rapidly losing faith in the Italian.
Zola would be a candidate to replace Sarri at the helm on an interim basis until the end of the season.
But his recent health issues could emerge as a factor should, as is looking increasingly likely, Chelsea fire Sarri when the club consider potential names of who can steady the ship.
dudbcekpty
1
make a change sarri out zindane in and see the different between them
biknoprsz
0
Get well Zola
Heampy
0
I wish our legend Franko Zola a speedy recovery. Now to my main comment which is a response to Sarri's sorry and unprofessional comments on why he is not playing Ngolo in his natural position. For a manager to say that he cannot play a world cup and EPL winner and EPL player and CFC player of the year in the position he acquitted himself because he does not pass the ball quickly to suit his system is to say the least an admission of managerial ineptitude. Managers are hired to transform teams and win honours and by extension transform the players to suit your system. Sarri you are not going to teach Ngolo to pass the ball but just ask him to pass it a little quicker to suit your system. Is that a big deal. All the humiliations the club has suffered in recent times is due to your inflexible approach to team selection and approach and deployment of the lads. And what is more perplexing about your style is the absence of a plan B to change a match. All of this hurting the team's progress. I am begging you for the pride of the club to revert Ngolo and Eden to their natural positions. Ask Ngolo to start passing the ball quickly and the rest to him. Blend the team with youths and rest players and you will see a change of fortune.
ckawere
0
wish him speedy recovery
Heampy
0
Managers have one thing in common and that is they will play a player they bring over game after game no matter how hopeless the player is just to justify his purchase to the board. if Jorjinho is a creative player then he should be playing in front of Kante as a playmaker midfielder. For two seasons Kante has excelled as the PL's best midfield anchor. Why did Sarri change his position to make way for an untested Jorjinho is baffling. Another concern is Marcos Alonso whose form has dropped horribly this season- he is slow, sloppy passes, bad defending you name it. Willian is another cause for concern; his magic touches have eluded him and he can no longer influence a games, in fact on many occasions he slows down attacks. Bringing in Gonzalo Heguain is not going to solve our problems. Since the sale of DeiogoCosta to AM by Conte we have not replaced him and this is hurting us badly. CFC needs a natural No. 9 with an eye and appetite for goals and a back-up for the long run and not a quick fix in Gonzalo. Sarri needs to rotate the current team to allow players rest and opportunities to others. Sarri it needs no brainer to predict your tactics when you field in the same team week in week out. Inject some youth and pace into the team, let players, like Kante and Hazard play in their natural positions with some freedom and let there be competition for slots rather favouring players that you brought in. Field a team that will leaves the opposition guessing the system you will play. Wise up Sarri or you will not last beyond this season. In fact you are lucky you are still there, ask Scolari and Villas-Boares and others, Roman does not tolerate mediocre performances. Change your team selection and mentality for better results.
fekabdnu
2
Get well soonest Zola
Dendkmouz
1
i wish Zola a speedy recovery. I dont trust Sarri when he is home alone.
Marimc
1
he is definitely one man against the world
Zedabnst
0
quick recovery Mr zola
Yupeklmt
0
Sarri has no idea about modern football.Cheasea is attacking team which mean mobile defense and midfield. Not what that Sari has.
Bayakluok
3
Was Sarri also the reason for the re-admission of Zola to hospital?
TrueBlueAfer
1
Get well soon, Champ.
yindmost
1
I wish Zola a speedy recovery
liwcmos
0
Sarri go with your son Jorginho.
vuobdln
2
I wish Zola a full recovery. Ziadane NOW!
Dedceiksy
3
no for sarri too. let Zola came in now
sokcelmotz
1
madam Chelsea says no for sarri. from zambia
sokcelmotz
1
Chelsea is a big club not playin,as far as I know sarri has never won any cup, and he doesn't want advice from funs.am tired of him .Madam Chelsea
baebeiptu
1
Quick recovery to you Sir
sokcelmotz
1
I mean sarri not saudi
sokcelmotz
1
we don't need Saudi's time coz he's making the players to play on wrong numbers. Please Abromovic do something, we love Chelsea now it's like he wants to finish Chelsea.please try De-Mateo or zidani.
wiocekpty
2
some chelsea players are not good at all. some of them are very slow with weary legs d like of Luiz, Alonso, Rudigar and cesar all of them should depart
Jiubdelmy
0
i dont want sarri. we have been insulted very much about this type of coaching.
vanderlinde
0
I hope Zola well recover soon... Legend ❤️
_luigipellegrini_
0
Old players OUT OF CHELSEA please!!
Nesaiknruy_Legend
1
I hope Gianfranco can get better soon. Hope it's nothing serious and he recovers.
Johnwinz
0
We rather play without manager than using sarri
Kuzie17
0
Sarri is the best manager for Chelsea. Just give him 2 or 3 seasons before judging him. Haters will say I'm trolling.
2 to 3 season so chelsea will be a middle club and not gonna compete in ucl for more 3 season..
Kuzie17
0
Give Sarri more time
i would consider give sarri time when he play kante the RIGHT POSITION he used to be. but that arent gonna happen because he love jorginho more than his job. so goodbye
Viddilps
2
Sarri is the best manager for Chelsea. Just give him 2 or 3 seasons before judging him. Haters will say I'm trolling.
guy you talk sense
Mobauy
0
Stamford Bridge is falling down?..
beacmnpuy
1
Give Sarri more time
Godwinwhizee77
0
Sarri can't even stand with two legs anymore
nueadklot
0
ZIDANE INNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
JasonNaj
0
cigarettes effect huh!!
nueadklot
0
SARRI OUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
vapckmoy
1
This Guy is trolling.
lol
Sibbcdlmuy
1
Give Sarri time & see his wonders.
Hueoprsu
1
Sarri is the best manager for Chelsea. Just give him 2 or 3 seasons before judging him. Haters will say I'm trolling.
This Guy is trolling.
wiocekpty
1
I did not see any manager who can steady d ship as far as those useless and mediocre players are there, d only way to steady d ship is to sell out those payers whose heart are away from d team and d ones that are not suits for sarri tactics
EpaphrasDaniel
4
Sarri is the best manager for Chelsea. Just give him 2 or 3 seasons before judging him. Haters will say I'm trolling.