Gianfranco Zola was born on July 5, 1966 in Oliena, Sardinia, Gianfranco Zola is considered one of the best foreign imports ever
Gianfranco Zola was born on July 5, 1966 in Oliena, Sardinia, Gianfranco Zola is considered one of the best foreign imports ever. At the age of 23 he moved from Torres in Italy’s Serie B to act as Diego Maradona’s understudy at Napoli and became renowned in Italy for his free-kicks. In November 1997 Gianfanco moved to Chelsea where he was an instant hit, turning in a series of devastating displays that won him the Player of the Year award for the 1996/97 season.
As a striker, he was quick off the mark, due to his alertness and remarkable fitness. He played all over the opponents’ half and was always looking for the best position to either receive the ball, whether deep or wide and to go and play in ‘danger’ areas. His touch, balance and quick feet and superb control of the ball enabled him to find space to make things happen. He was equally brilliant at keeping the ball, working his way out of tight situations before slipping ‘killer’ first-time passes.
Gianfranco Zola cemented his place in Chelsea history when he scored the winner in the European Cup Winner's Cup Final in1997/98. In the 2001/02 season, he played his last game for the Blues against Liverpool in May 2003, having played 266 games for Chelsea and scoring 64 goals. Zola’s honours with the Blues include winners' medals in the FA Cup in 1997 and 2000, League Cup, European Cup Winners' Cup and European Super Cup medals in 1998 and the Charity Shield in 2000. He also picked up runners-up medals in the Charity Shield in 1997 and the FA Cup in 2002. He made 35 appearances for Italy.
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