Taken from the Express:

 

Sir Alex Ferguson: The Chelsea player that annoyed me most against Manchester United

SIR ALEX FERGUSON has named Gianfranco Zola as the player who annoyed him most against Manchester United.

 

The little Italian is widely regarded as one of the best players to play in Premier League.

In 1997, Zola scored a memorable goal against United and Ferguson admitted afterwards,

 

"He's a better player than I thought he was. He's a clever little bugger."

 

And the Scotsman has now revealed why Zola frustrated him and his admiration for the player.

He told Sky Sports:

 

"Little Gianfranco Zola, he annoyed me. He was one of these players who was unperturbed about who he was playing against. He always seemed to have a smile on his face and that annoyed me.

"How can he be enjoying himself playing against United? Nobody else does. He was a fantastic player and I loved watching him.

"It was enjoyable and for me to say that about an opponent tells you how much I admired him."

 

Feel free to turn this into a Zola tribute thread.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiyfgqJdqOE

Edited September 22, 201510 yr by Zola

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taOIkyHdJX0

 

Never tire of watching this.

That United goal was (along with Norwich flick) Zola's best for me...
Still speaks lovingly about us whenever i see him interviewed... Love the man.

As much as we get excited about Hazard when at his best, still don't think he's reached zola's level...it's a toss up between gullit and Zola for me as the best technical/skilful players I have seen play for the club...given the crazy money being spent these days, how much would zola cost now?

Below I have posted a link to his classic skill against Wimbledon in FA Cup semi-final in 1997

Edited September 22, 201510 yr by The Brit

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fHfwvn7bwRQ

Edited September 22, 201510 yr by The Brit

Excellent post, has put a massive grin on my face, on this miserable Tuesday morning.

You just can't hate him. Such a talent as well as a very likable guy.

I remember when he was West Ham Manager, and he brought out hot drinks for reporters, who were outside his house.

You just can't hate him. Such a talent as well as a very likable guy.

I remember when he was West Ham Manager, and he brought out hot drinks for reporters, who were outside his house.

I remember that too. Always been a class act.

As much as we get excited about Hazard when at his best, still don't think he's reached zola's level...it's a toss up between gullit and Zola for me as the best technical/skilful players I have seen play for the club...given the crazy money being spent these days, how much would zola cost now?

Below I have posted a link to his classic skill against Wimbledon in FA Cup semi-final in 1997

My fav goal that one ....................

...oh and Laudrup was the most technical/skilful player we ever had in my opinion ............to quote Mr Clough you can't put in what God left out in Laudrups case God put it all in but he couldn't be bothered to show it consistently and only glimpses for us ...

Edited September 22, 201510 yr by Tea Bar Boy

As much as we get excited about Hazard when at his best, still don't think he's reached zola's level...it's a toss up between gullit and Zola for me as the best technical/skilful players I have seen play for the club...given the crazy money being spent these days, how much would zola cost now?

Below I have posted a link to his classic skill against Wimbledon in FA Cup semi-final in 1997

 

Well we did get Zola in his peak... Hazard has a lot of room for improvement before we can justifiably compare them both.

Not just his goals that I remember him for, he was prone to the odd classy assist too. 

 

The scooped pass for Poyet to score the scissor kick on the opening day of the 2000 season against Sunderland.

 

The back heel assist in the 1997 Cup Final setting up Newton for the 2nd.

 

Such a legend.  

Well we did get Zola in his peak... Hazard has a lot of room for improvement before we can justifiably compare them both.

Yeah, should have added the word 'yet'...just imagine if he did get to zola's level...wow

And this is how you sign off a career at a club:

 

https://youtu.be/60q3Bg1Vj-E

Great goals mentioned he's goal against Wimbledon at Highbury was magic but the list goes on

He was my first footballing hero, so much so that just last year I named my new kitten after him.

He's one of the main reasons that I became a huge Chelsea fan, probably my biggest childhood hero.

Met him at Luton airport coming back from our holiday, I was looking after our two youngest girls (13) who are/were non football children

within 5 mins Zola had them spell bound, all the journey home they never let up about him,

three weeks later had to go into thier bedroom, where once the walls were covered in pops stars, there the centre piece of the room was

a dozen or more Zola pictures, still not football fans but mighty big Gianfranco Zola FANS.

 

Great footballer & a real gentleman.

 

Great goals mentioned he's goal against Wimbledon at Highbury was magic but the list goes on

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHfwvn7bwRQ

Met him at Luton airport coming back from our holiday, I was looking after our two youngest girls (13) who are/were non football children

within 5 mins Zola had them spell bound, all the journey home they never let up about him,

three weeks later had to go into thier bedroom, where once the walls were covered in pops stars, there the centre piece of the room was

a dozen or more Zola pictures, still not football fans but mighty big Gianfranco Zola FANS.

 

Great footballer & a real gentleman.

That's a great story and really spooky. I met Zola at Heathrow on flight back from Florida. We were in the line for passport control, I was the only one who recognised him in the line. He gave me a little wink and went through passport control. Total legend, I think it might actually be impossible to dislike the man.

One of the greatest Chelsea players ever and one of my favourites as well. This man possessed everything in a quality footballer from superb technical ability, great speed and dash and most importantly being able to find the net.

Even after so many years I still marvel in his ability when I watch these old highlights that have been posted in this thread so far. For SAF to be praising him, he must surely go down as one of all the time greats if he isn't already for everyone football supporter out there.

A gentleman on and off the field!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amTygs99MS0

Epic goal, epic scenes!

Another freekick from the maestro and what makes it more special is that it was against Barca:

 

https://youtu.be/SQxmz5TtGh4