Chelsea FC's 5 greatest footballers of all time

Modified Jul 12, 2019 16:58 GMT

#3 Gianfranco Zola

Zola is arguably the best Italian footballer in the history of Premiership and also remains one of the finest to have played for Chelsea. He was a brilliant attacking midfielder, who could also play as the main striker, support striker or wing-forward. Zola’s versatility and creativity made him an invaluable player for Chelsea.

He joined the Blues in 1996 from Italian club Parma. He went on to spend 7 successful seasons at Chelsea and made them a force to reckon with in English football. Zola won the FA Cup twice and UEFA Cup Winners Cup trophy once with Chelsea. He was also conferred with the Order of British Empire in 2004.

Zola scored 80 goals in 311 matches for Chelsea and became a favourite of the Stamford Bridge faithful. He left Chelsea in 2003, and was aptly nicknamed the “magic box” because of his exquisite playing style and skills.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Sai Teja