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I do not think there are enough superlatives I could use to describe my feelings for Gianfranco
Zola. Loved by Chelsea and respected by opposition fans, Zola has been undoubtedly the greatest
all round player for Chelsea in terms of trophies won and his professionalism both on and off the
field.
It is rare for a football player to become a legend even before he leaves a club, but Zola was an
allowable exception to the rule.
I saw his home debut against Newcastle and have to say this man was a cut above the rest. I
remember spending most of the match just watching him play with sublime skill and passion.
There is no other debut since that has sparked by excitement glands as much. Perhaps Arjen
Robben's debut is the closest. But there is no player who after his debut has been continually
consistent and been one of those who people "would pay to watch" alone.
He swiftly earned a place in our hearts by making a fool out of Julian Dicks at Stamford Bridge in
one of his first games - nutmegging him sideways before burying the ball in the back of the net in a
3-1 over West Ham at the Bridge.
Gianfranco's goals have even managed to bring a tear to my eye on the odd occasion. Liverpool at
home in the FA Cup 4-2 game was one that will always stay in the memory. A left foot shot from 25
yards out which sent the crowd mental. He had a phenomenal first season despite only joining in
November and without him we would not have won the FA Cup that year. His goal against
Wimbledon in the semis was outstanding and he set up Eddie Newton brilliantly for the second
goal in the FA Cup Final against Boro. He won the Football Writers Player of the Year trophy that
season despite only joining the club three months into the footballing year.
The following season, among many other things, he scored in the Cup Winners' Cup Final having
barely been on the pitch. He also scored a classy hat-trick in the annihilation of Derby County.
In his third season, and at one of my favourite away trips ever, he scored another superb goal with
a magnificent free-kick at Blackburn before winning a penalty in a match which The Blues
eventually won 4-3. From memory, I think he also grazed the bar with a superb effort.
There are so many magical memories that are contained in the video on the left of this page. One
of his best three moments was arguably his goal against Norwich in the FA Cup replay of 2002.
In the following seasons Franco saw his appearances limited as the squad rotation system was
implemented - but he never complained.
He was a master of the free-kick and arguably his best combination was with Mark Hughes - the
Welshman would beat the opposition defenders up and the little man would take advantage.
It was a shame he was not at Chelsea when we did finally win the league. I saw him in his final
game for The Blues and am not ashamed to say that I had tears in my eyes.
A consummate professional, many of the other senior players must have felt guilty as they sped
home in their Porsches, but Zola would still be practicing free-kicks at the Harlington training
ground.
In typical Zola fashion he left to join Cagliari despite not having signed a contract, as they had
made a verbal agreement which he wanted to abide to.
There are two players who I hear talked about the most fondly. One is the late Peter Osgood, the
other Gianfranco. I think even when Roman Abramovich took the club over he was bowled over by
the fans' enthusiasm for the little fella to such an extent that he seriously contemplated taking
over Cagliari to bring him back.
My only regret is that I never met him. I have been close to him when I have been at games. He
always had a smile and I can rarely recall him getting booked. Players like this are few and far
between, and I would be surprised if we see anyone of his calibre in the next twenty years.
This man deserves to be called a legend, and I hope he returns to Chelsea at some stage in the
future on the coaching side.
Zola. Loved by Chelsea and respected by opposition fans, Zola has been undoubtedly the greatest
all round player for Chelsea in terms of trophies won and his professionalism both on and off the
field.
It is rare for a football player to become a legend even before he leaves a club, but Zola was an
allowable exception to the rule.
I saw his home debut against Newcastle and have to say this man was a cut above the rest. I
remember spending most of the match just watching him play with sublime skill and passion.
There is no other debut since that has sparked by excitement glands as much. Perhaps Arjen
Robben's debut is the closest. But there is no player who after his debut has been continually
consistent and been one of those who people "would pay to watch" alone.
He swiftly earned a place in our hearts by making a fool out of Julian Dicks at Stamford Bridge in
one of his first games - nutmegging him sideways before burying the ball in the back of the net in a
3-1 over West Ham at the Bridge.
Gianfranco's goals have even managed to bring a tear to my eye on the odd occasion. Liverpool at
home in the FA Cup 4-2 game was one that will always stay in the memory. A left foot shot from 25
yards out which sent the crowd mental. He had a phenomenal first season despite only joining in
November and without him we would not have won the FA Cup that year. His goal against
Wimbledon in the semis was outstanding and he set up Eddie Newton brilliantly for the second
goal in the FA Cup Final against Boro. He won the Football Writers Player of the Year trophy that
season despite only joining the club three months into the footballing year.
The following season, among many other things, he scored in the Cup Winners' Cup Final having
barely been on the pitch. He also scored a classy hat-trick in the annihilation of Derby County.
In his third season, and at one of my favourite away trips ever, he scored another superb goal with
a magnificent free-kick at Blackburn before winning a penalty in a match which The Blues
eventually won 4-3. From memory, I think he also grazed the bar with a superb effort.
There are so many magical memories that are contained in the video on the left of this page. One
of his best three moments was arguably his goal against Norwich in the FA Cup replay of 2002.
In the following seasons Franco saw his appearances limited as the squad rotation system was
implemented - but he never complained.
He was a master of the free-kick and arguably his best combination was with Mark Hughes - the
Welshman would beat the opposition defenders up and the little man would take advantage.
It was a shame he was not at Chelsea when we did finally win the league. I saw him in his final
game for The Blues and am not ashamed to say that I had tears in my eyes.
A consummate professional, many of the other senior players must have felt guilty as they sped
home in their Porsches, but Zola would still be practicing free-kicks at the Harlington training
ground.
In typical Zola fashion he left to join Cagliari despite not having signed a contract, as they had
made a verbal agreement which he wanted to abide to.
There are two players who I hear talked about the most fondly. One is the late Peter Osgood, the
other Gianfranco. I think even when Roman Abramovich took the club over he was bowled over by
the fans' enthusiasm for the little fella to such an extent that he seriously contemplated taking
over Cagliari to bring him back.
My only regret is that I never met him. I have been close to him when I have been at games. He
always had a smile and I can rarely recall him getting booked. Players like this are few and far
between, and I would be surprised if we see anyone of his calibre in the next twenty years.
This man deserves to be called a legend, and I hope he returns to Chelsea at some stage in the
future on the coaching side.
