4) Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea)
One of few world class all-round forwards in Premier League history, Gianfranco Zola is arguably one of the greatest Italians to have played in England. He only stood five-and-a-half feet tall but could dominate the area near the final third in a league that punished the little guy.
Playing either as a support striker or an attacking midfielder, Zola arrived at Chelsea after the 1996/97 season got underway. And the fans were treated to a player who lit up the field with his trickery on the ball and some sublime goals.
It was no wonder then that his 12 goals in his debut season with the Blues saw him crowned the FWA (Football Writers' Association) Footballer of the Year in 1997. However, there was no place for him in the PFA Team of the Year as Alan Shearer (Newcastle United) and Ian Wright (Arsenal) promptly took up the two spots for forwards.
Zola’s arrival signalled the end of Chelsea’s status as a mid-table club and they soon competed for Champions League spots. Prior to Roman Abramovich’s arrival and the splurge to get quality players in, Zola was undoubtedly the Blues’ biggest star.
