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Today marks seventeen years to the day since Chelsea signed legend and possible our greatest ever player Gianfranco Zola.
Signing from Parma for £6.5m he made an immediate impact collecting the English Player of The Year award despite missing the first third of the season. Small, nimble and incredibly talented he lit up Stamford Bridge scoring amazing goals and winning trophies.
His contribution to the club goes beyond winners medals for the FA, League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup. His style, flair and attitude summarised an exciting generation of revolution that ultimately saw him leave just days before the arrival of Roman Abramovich.
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He will be remembered for his genuine personality and stunning goals, two traits brought together in that stunning back heel from a corner against Norwich, a goal that he dedicated to a child he had visited in hospital.
His presence has been missed everyday since he left in 2003 and we all hope that maybe one day he will be back at the Bridge in some capacity.
