One of the most celebrated players in Chelsea’s history, Gianfranco Zola wowed west London crowds during seven sensational years at Stamford Bridge.
Zola arrived as part of a collection of exciting foreign imports during the Premier League’s first decade, signing for Chelsea with a fine reputation after successful spells at Napoli and Parma.
His impact was instant as he became the first player to win the FWA Footballer of the Year despite arriving into English football mid-season, and just the second to win the prestigious accolade during his debut season in England.
Zola was a creator and entertainer extraordinaire, a player capable of producing moments of magic as the influential figurehead of a pre-takeover Chelsea side, one who became contenders for silverware and ended the club’s 26-year wait for a major trophy in the nineties.
Amongst the greatest players to have adorned the club’s colours, he twice lifted the FA Cup, alongside winning the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup during a memorable period in a cult Chelsea side.
Zola’s career with Chelsea is littered with special moments from a special player, though this goal remains one of the most iconic of the diminutive Italian’s time on English soil.
Norwich were the visitors in an FA Cup third-round replay in 2001/02, the highlight of a 4-0 win for Chelsea this moment of pure inspiration from the sublime Gianfranco Zola.
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Read – Gianfranco Zola: The little genius who dropped jaws and opened minds
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