Maurizio Sarri has revealed that Roman Abramovich has more contact with Gianfanco Zola than he does with the Chelsea boss at Stamford Bridge.
It is well known that the Chelsea has rarely been seen at the Bridge this season after encountering visa issues with the UK Home Office after relations between the United Kingdom and his native Russia dwindled over the course of the past year.
He is also no longer going to pay for a hospitality box at Stamford Bridge up front, the first time in 11 years, and instead pay for the use of it come the end of the season depending on how many times he uses it.
Sarri was hired by Abramovich in the summer to replace outgoing manager Antonio Conte, whose relationship with the owner reached rock bottom by the time his spell in west London came to an end.
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Despite the lack of presence at Chelsea this season, Sarri insisted Abramovich was still involved with the team but rarely communicates with him, instead opting to go through Zola because 'his English is better'
Speaking ahead of the West Ham game, Sarri said: “He [Abramovich] has some problems now, but he is involved with the club, with the team.
“He has more contact with Zola than me, because Zola speaks English better than me, of course.
"He is the owner, and so he is able to influence the technical staff, the club, the players, everything I think.
“Also in Naples, the president Aurelio wasn't in the training ground every day. He was in the training ground once a month, no more. So it's really very similar.”
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