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Gianfranco Zola, quite rightly, takes his place alongside Messrs Bergkamp and Cantona in the list of foreign talent who have imported footballing treasures to these shores. Masters of their trade, schooled in delicate artistry and flair, many believed such players were otherworldly to the stock player of mid-nineties English football. Here were fusions of the playmaker, maverick and deep-lying striker.


To say there had been none before that fulfilled this role would be to do a grave disservice to many greats in the English game. The role, however, has not always been a priority in England. In Europe and South America it is deeply ingrained in the games cultural fabric, where the best talent would grow up with a number 10 stuck to their back.


“The reason why the English, develop fewer of them [the number 10], is because historically you have been set-up with two strong strikers, two sitting midfielders and two wingers. You never used to play the ball through the middle. What you used to do was play the ball on the sides [wings] and cross the ball to the tall player,” explained Zola, one of the finest proponents of the play-making art.


The diminutive Italian’s arrival at Chelsea in 1996 was catalyst for a more expansive style of play at Stamford Bridge. With Ruud Gullit in charge of the managerial reigns, the man who wore number 25 but who embodied the spirit of a number 10, was given the licence to create. Something he was accustomed to growing up and playing the game in Europe.


“In Italy and Spain they ask for different things; they want the quality man to be behind the strikers, to get the ball and feed strikers with a sliding ball. So it’s a consequence of your style.”


For many the Italian walked on air at Stamford Bridge


Gianfranco Zola Profile


- Gianfranco Zola scored 193 goals in a club career which saw him play more than 600 games.


- His most celebrated periods were enjoyed at Napoli, Parma and Chelsea.


Zola successfully graduated with The FA UEFA Pro-licence in June and having been strongly linked with a number of managerial vacancies over the summer, will be hoping for a return to management soon.


- Between 1996 and 2003 Zola played 229 games for Chelsea scoring 59 goals.


- In November 2004, Zola was awarded an OBE – Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire in a ceremony in Rome.


- His audacious back-heeled FA Cup Goal against Norwich in the 2000/01 season prompted Claudio Ranieri, Chelsea manager at the time, to say: “He is a wizard and the wizard must try.”


- Zola’s coaching career began as assistant manager of the Italy U21 side, from there the Italian went on to be West Ham first-team manager between 2008 and 2010.


- After a disappointing run of results at Upton Park, Zola was sacked in June 2010


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