Gianfranco Zola confirms that current Napoli star Stanislav Lobotka ‘was proposed to Chelsea’ in 2018-19, but the Stamford Bridge side turned him down.

The Slovakia international signed a new two-year deal with the Serie A leaders. His previous contract was due to expire in 2025.

“I already knew Lobotka, because I saw a few of his games when he was proposed to Chelsea,” revealed Zola during his role as pundit on Amazon Prime Italia for tonight’s Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt.

“He was a good player, but nowhere near what he has become at Napoli today.”

Napoli signed Lobotka from Celta Vigo in January 2020 and he initially struggled, but has gone from strength to strength under coach Luciano Spalletti.

At the time of Zola’s viewing, the Slovakia international had only just joined Celta Vigo from Nordsjaelland at a cost of €5m.

Zola was assistant manager to Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea for the 2018-19 season.

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