Chelsea FC’s 50 Greatest Players Of All-Time
2. Gianfranco Zola: 1996-2003
Words cannot describe how talented this player was. Gianfranco Zola arrived at Stamford Bridge in 1996 by way of Parma. His under-appreciation in Italy meant that the little maestro was eager to move, with Chelsea parting ways with a paltry £4.5 million for his services.
Zola made 312 competitive appearances for the Blues, featuring at least 40 times in all but his initial campaign. He would score 80 goals, but it was dribbling and consistently dazzling displays that brings him to this position on the list.
RELATED: Gianfranco Zola: Top 10 Chelsea FC Goals
The winger was simply a delight to watch, as anyone who had the privilege to witness him will attest to. Weaving in and out of players, many have claimed that his modern day incarnation is Lionel Messi himself. More have stated that he is the best player to have ever played in the Premier League.
His efforts over the seven seasons were materially represented by two FA Cups, a League Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup. However, he has been inundated with various individual awards and comparisons that still do little justice to the skill that he possessed. He was even awarded an OBE as Britain as an entity recognised his contributions to the nation’s livelihood.
You could go on and on praising the wizard, but why not watch what he did best? Check out his top 10 goals for Chelsea, but not before you find out who number one is…
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