Gianfranco Zola names the Chelsea player whose importance for Enzo Maresca’s team has been a ‘big surprise’ to him
Posted By Joe E
March 2, 2025
12:31 pm
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Gianfranco Zola has revealed there is one Chelsea player who has been a ‘big surprise’ in terms of his importance to Enzo Maresca’s team.
Chelsea are making a big push to return to the Champions League for next season, although results haven’t quite gone as planned over recent weeks.
The Blues have won just four of their last 13 matches in all competitions, which has seen their top four bid suffer a slight dent.
Enzo Maresca has done a pretty impressive job in West London considering how the Blues got on last season and Zola has named one of the players who has been key in helping him turn things around in the capital.
Gianfranco Zola thinks Moises Caicedo has been “really, really good” this season
Gianfranco Zola believes that Moises Caicedo has been “really, really good” this season and his performance levels have been a “big surprise”.
The Italian legend claims that the midfielder struggled to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge, but now, he is quickly becoming a key player for Maresca.
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
When asked to name some of Chelsea’s top performers this season, Zola told DR Sports: “Caicedo, big surprise because last year when he came he took time to adapt.
However, Chelsea’s record signing is now proving his worth and the former Blues forward added: “He didn’t do as well as he is doing this year. This year he is doing really, really good.”
Gianfranco Zola also a big fan of Pedro Neto at Chelsea this season
Zola also admitted that he is a big fan of Pedro Neto and claims that the Portugese forward has also been an important player for Marseca this season.
Pedro Neto’s stats this season
The winger perhaps hasn’t quite hit the heights expected of him just yet in terms of goal contributions, however, his direct play on the wing has impressed the Chelsea legend.
The Chelsea boss has recently shifted the former Wolves star into the number nine role and against Southampton, he managed a goal and an assist.
“I think Neto has been doing extremely well, he’s very direct and also a team player,” added Zola.