Roberto De Zerbi has revealed that one of the first people he spoke to after becoming head coach was his predecessor.
Graham Potter brings his new club Chelsea to the Amex today and De Zerbi said he was ‘very happy’ to speak to him shortly after he was named as head coach in September.
“A couple hours after I signed the contract, [Graham] Potter called me by phone. He was very kind and the call was heartily received," said De Zerbi.
“I don’t like it much when you are becoming a new coach at a club and you have to call the previous coach. But because it happened the other way around, and he called me, I was very happy.”
Asked whether he will be meeting Potter after the game, the Italian added, “It’s no problem, but the most important thing is we win the game. But after I can offer him red wine, white wine – whatever he wants!”
A key battle in the game could be in midfield and De Zerbi is delighted with the contributions of Alexis Mac Allister, who signed a new contract earlier this week, and Moises Caicedo. But he also thinks the pair can become even better players and has set Mac Allister a further target.
“I love midfielders who love the ball and keep the ball. Mac Allister loves the ball and Caicedo too. Alexis can improve, like Caicedo but in the last few games Caicedo has improved a lot with and without the ball.
“I hope Alexis can find the goal more. I want him to shoot more. He has to arrive to shoot two or three times per game.”