In the third season of Ted Lasso, Zava, a high-profile football player, becomes a free agent, and every other football club attempts to sign him to their team. Maximilian Osinski plays Zava.
Ted Lasso first hears about Zava during a conversation with Trent Crimm at Rebecca’s office. Lasso agrees to have Crimm around for his book, and seconds later, Leslie discloses the news that is going viral about Zava leaving Juventus.
Crimm introduces Zava to Ted as a world-class striker from Italy. Leslie continues to read the news, which says Zava is looking forward to competing in the Premier League. Zava’s wife binge-watched The Office UK, and now she wants to live in England, which means Zava has no option but to move here.
Zava’s nature
Leslie and Keeley dream about having Zava on AFC Richmond. Keeley says he would be huge for the club’s brand, as he has around 90 million followers.
Rebecca then brings both of them back to reality and reminds them how expensive he is. On top of that, Zava has a reputation for being a diva. Zava switches teams from time to time. In the past 15 years, he has played for 14 different teams and left behind chaos and trophies.
Though Zava is full of drama, owing to his illustrious career, every club that can afford him is making a move, including Chelsea, Arsenal, United, and most importantly, West Ham.
When Rebecca hears that West Ham is also pursuing Zava, she plans to do the same, just to get back at her husband.
Unfortunately, Zava’s managers respond cruelly to AFC Richmond’s request to have a meeting. They say it would be a waste of time for them and an embarrassment for Zava.
Zava’s popularity
Zava is later reintroduced to Ted by Beard, who shows him a YouTube video of Zava taking out a robber. Beard calls Zava ‘a living legend’. Even the whole team goes crazy when they hear that Zava could possibly join AFC Richmond. Some of them start praying for it to happen.
The moment Zava enters the stadium during the match between Chelsea and AFC Richmond, the whole crowd starts cheering for him. People watching at home couldn’t believe that they are in the same city as Zava.
Who does Zava sign with?
The rumor says Zava will sign with Chelsea, but Rupert shows up at Chelsea vs. AFC Richmond to manipulate Zava into signing for his team, West Ham. Rebecca watches this from a distance, and she doesn’t hold back either.
Later, Rebecca crosses paths with Rupert as she tries to approach Zava, whose bodyguards won’t allow her to meet him. Zava does show up, and he says it’s an honor for Rebecca that she got a chance to meet him. The give-and-take of words between Zava and Rupert suggests that Zava might be signing for West Ham.
When Rupert unknowingly mocks Rebecca by claiming that he bought West Ham because he got bored of the same old things, referring to his past relationships, Rebecca immediately leaves to look for Zava.
Rebecca enters a men’s washroom to confront him. She calls Zava a coward because he can play anywhere if he is that great, but still, he chooses to play for West Ham.
According to Rebecca, West Ham will win with or without Zava, but Zava will have nothing to prove here. She calls Zava overrated and overpaid.
Rebecca’s rant changes Zava’s mind. He attends Chelsea’s press conference, intending to sign with them. At the last moment, he chooses not to and announces that he will play for AFC Richmond. The news leaves the fans of AFC Richmond overjoyed and infuriates the likes of Rupert.
Also Read: Ted Lasso season 3 episode 2 recap & review: (I Don’t Want to Go to) Chelsea