Stamford Bridge legend Gianfranco Zola has named his dream Chelsea team, and five Blues stars who have been a part of Jose Mourinho’s title winning squad feature.
Zola made 312 appearances for Chelsea after signing for £4.5m in November 1996, and scored 80 goals over seven years with the club. In 1997 he won FWA Footballer of the Year and in the year he left Stamford Bridge, 2003, Blues fans voted the forward as the club’s greatest ever player.
The Italian icon told the Daily Mail the 11 players that deserve the recognition of being named in his all-time Blues line-up, and current West London stars Eden Hazard and captain John Terry have received the greatest compliment from one of the finest Premier League imports in its history.
Have a read below of his Chelsea dream team and the reasons behind his choices…
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Petr Cech
“He has been an amazing goalkeeper, always in control of the situation. He doesn’t make many mistakes – he has to be in the side.
“Him not being in the Chelsea team now is part of the game. Chelsea are a very ambitious club and they had the opportunity to take [Thibaut] Courtois who will be an unbelievable keeper in the years to come.”
Branislav Ivanovic
“This is a difficult choice. Albert Ferrer was very good, but I’m going for Ivanovic. He does very well in both phases of the game – going forward and defensively.
“He scores a lot of goals from set-pieces, that’s enough to get him in but Ferrer is just behind him.”
Marcel Desailly and John Terry
“They’re both strong defensively and they’re both good with the ball. They’re two very good leaders. Marcel doesn’t speak much, he’s a silent leader but he’s got so much presence.
“John is more outspoken, but you could close your eyes and throw the captain’s armband at the pair of them and whoever it landed on is an incredible leader.”
Graeme Le Saux
“I know Ashley Cole has done very well for Chelsea and probably deserves it, but I think Graeme Le Saux was terrific for us. He also gave me the cross which I backheeled into the goal against Norwich!”
