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Gianfranco Zola isn't just a star Chelsea� player but an international champion. The Italian arrived at Stamford Bridge in November last season to become the third link of Chelsea's "Italian Mob." He made such an� impact and turned in� powerful displays that it was fitting he won the Player of the Year award.

A striker or midfielder, he won the Italian Championship in 1990 with Napoli where he became the successor to one of the greats, Diego Maradona. In 1991 he won the Italian Super Cup with Napoli and made his national debut in Arrigo Sacchi's first game in charge up front next to his Chelsea teammate, Gianluca Vialli. In 1993 he joined Parma� for �1.4m where he won the European Super Cup and the UEFA Cup, was a runner-up in the European Cup Winners Cup, Italian Championship and Italian Cup, played in the 1994 World Cup and 1996 European Championships, and was second and third in consecutive years in the goalscoring of the Serie A. He scored in nearly every other game for Parma, and had a phenomenal record from free-kicks. Like the great Diego Maradona, he is small but immensely strong and can go past people with a great deal of ease. In November, he arrived at Chelsea� for �4.5m having played 26 times for Italy, scoring 7 goals.

He seemed intent on running his own goal of the season competition with a series of spectacular strikes, blasting the ball past goalkeepers. The partnership he struck up with Sparky propelled Chelsea to the FA Cup victory , and he topped the Chelsea assists stats despite only joing in Novemeber.

He might not of played a whole season yet, but he's already established as a Chelsea legend. He is simply one of the best players in the World.
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Born: Oliena (NU), Sardinia, 05/07/66.
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 10st 10lbs
Previous clubs: Nuorese, Torres, Napoli, Parma.
Signed: Nov 1996 for �4,500,000
Debut:� @ Blackburn� 16/11/96 (drew 1-1)
Chelsea Honours: FA Cup Winners medal 1997, Footballer of the Year 1997
Honours with other clubs: Italian Super Cup 1991 (Napoli), European Super Cup 1993,� UEFA�� Cup 1993, Runnerup in European Cup Winners Cup, Italian Championship and Italian Cup (Parma).
International record: Italy - 33 caps, 10 goals
�Played in 1994 World Cup and 1996 European Championships.
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