GIANFRANCO ZOLA has claimed Chelsea sold the "soul of the team" by letting go of three stars last year.
The Blues legend claimed this was the start of Chelsea's struggles that they endured for most of the 2023-24 season.
Zola, 57, played for the Blues between 1996 and 2003 and made over 300 appearances for the club.
And last term Chelsea ended their campaign sixth in the Premier League after a slight improvement in the second half of the season.
But Mauricio Pochettino's side did not have an easy start.
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According to Zola, selling Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic, who joined Arsenal and Manchester City respectively, was a bad decision for Chelsea.
Zola also added that Jorginho's exit to Arsenal in January 2023 left the Blues without a leader.
Zola told Ladbrokes: "Chelsea have had a hard season, especially at the beginning, but they changed a lot.
"They put a lot of young players in place and lost a lot of experienced ones like Jorginho, Havertz, and Kovacic. They lost many players who were the soul of the team, the leaders, so it took time to get going.
"But finally Pochettino got it working and it was working quite well. It was very surprising to see him leaving.
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"And I don't know the full reasons but obviously from a supporter's point of view I am disappointed."
Despite Chelsea securing a spot in Europe after a dismal start to the season Pochettino headed out the door last month.
With a host of players arriving at Stamford Bridge last summer, it was inevitable it was going to take time for those players to settle in.
And one who ended up thriving was Cole Palmer scoring 22 Premier League goals.
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Now for the Blues Enzo Maresca has taken charge in a five-year deal and there has been one new star already at the club after Tosin Adarabioyo made a free transfer from West London rivals Fulham.
