Sir Alex Ferguson: Chelsea Great Gianfranco Zola Annoyed Me Most
The former Manchester United boss has revealed that Chelsea’s Gianfranco Zola was the player that annoyed him most
What a player Gianfranco Zola was. The little Italian was one of the most talented footballers to ever play in a Chelsea FC shirt and now Sir Alex Ferguson has recognised his quality by naming him the most irritating player that he has ever come up against.
While promoting his new book, Leading, Manchester United’s greatest manager revealed that Zola was a player that he admired throughout his time at Stamford Bridge. Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports’ Jim White, Ferguson praised the Italian’s audacity.
"Little Gianfranco Zola… he annoyed me. He was one of these players who was unperturbed about who he was playing against. He always seemed to have a smile on his face and that annoyed me.How can he be enjoying himself playing against United? Nobody else does. He was a fantastic player and I loved watching him. It was enjoyable and for me to say that about an opponent tells you how much I admired him."
No-one can blame him either. Zola was a joy to watch every time he took the field and was easily one of the best of players to ever grace the Premier League. Unfortunately, he never really seems to receive the credit he deserves from the modern generation of football fanatics.
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Zola scored 80 goals in 312 competitive appearances for Chelsea and helped the club to two FA Cups, one League Cup and a European Cup Winners’ Cup as well. It was after a goal against Man Utd that Ferguson first admitted the winger’s ability, infamously calling him ‘a clever little so-and-so’.
As a result, the Chelsea faithful at least will never forget the Italian and he will remain a hero of the club as times progress. The fact that Ferguson singled him out for praise underlines Zola’s skill. This is the same man who has also said that he only ever managed four world-class players during his 27-year-tenure at Old Trafford.
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Four.
However, if anyone is in a position to make such a statement it is Sir Alex. He is a man that even Jose Mourinho holds the utmost respect for and will certainly be remembered as one of the greats of the game, even though his significant accomplishments were achieved in a suit from the dugout.
His thirteen Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups and two Champions Leagues (amongst several other minor trophies) is a record that few have come close to matching but Mourinho may be one of the few who are in with a shot.
In the meantime, though, the Portuguese manager will be hoping to impress his good friend by turning this Chelsea season around.
If only Zola was knocking about to help down the wing.
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