Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola admits he is in talks over return to Stamford Bridge as part of coaching staff

GIANFRANCO ZOLA has admitted he is in talks to return to Chelsea.

The Blues legend has been tipped for a comeback to Stamford Bridge with former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri expected to replace Antonio Conte as manager.

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And Zola fuelled speculation when he left South Africa — where he was working as a World Cup pundit — for London last night.

The Italian, 51, played for Chelsea between 1996 and 2003.

He said: "There are a lot of rumours about me at the moment and nothing has happened. We’ll see what happens in the future.

"But honestly, at the moment it’s only talking, nothing is decided."

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Antonio Conte is officially still in charge of Blues but have reportedly reached an agreement to shell out £9.5million to terminate his contract as well as those of the Italian's backroom staff.

But Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis said on Saturday that Blues have yet to approach him over Sarri.

Sarri has been replaced by Carlo Ancelotti but is still contracted to the club.

De Laurentiis said: "Chelsea? I never received any phone calls.

"I want something to be clear, this isn’t a city you can pillage, this isn’t a club you should underestimate."