Chelsea were a very different team two decades ago. Before Roman Abramovich invested in the club, success in the Premier League was a little harder to come by for the Blues.
But what they lacked in league titles, they more than made up for with Gianfranco Zola, who joined the club 20 years ago today.
And despite all the recent trophies Stamford Bridge has been decorated with, Zola has certainly not been forgotten by the fans.
Bargain!#OnThisDay in 1996, Chelsea signed Gianfranco Zola for £4.5million from Parma pic.twitter.com/ClxVvzBrxC
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 8, 2016
Was the transfer fee worth it? Why don’t you ask the fans…
One of the main reasons I started supporting Chelsea, an absolute club legend and amazing player! He was a magician with the ball #Zola20
— Sean Hooper (@SeanHooper123) November 8, 2016
Can't believe its been 20 years to the day since Zola signed for Chelsea, the greatest of his generation and my childhood hero #Zola20
— Robert James Harley (@robharley83) November 8, 2016
The diminutive forward was supreme with the ball at his feet, and mesmerised those he played against and in front of.
@ChelseaFC Zola is without a shadow of a doubt the greatest footballer I have ever been lucky enough to watch. Pure magic #zola20 #legend
— Alan Mehmet (@Alan_Mehmet1) November 8, 2016
Apparently John Terry was a big fan as well.
John Terry chose number 26 just to sit next to Zola who was number 25 in the changing room. #zola20
— ✘ (@FlicksLikeEden) November 8, 2016
And why was Zola so popular? Moments like these, probably.
You can never get bored of watching this... #Zola20 pic.twitter.com/RhljM2aOWt
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016
Send us your favourite Gianfranco Zola moments and memories using #Zola20 https://t.co/wELAB7pyeC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016
There weren’t many better free-kick takers than Zola.
7 - Players to score 10+ PL free-kicks
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 8, 2016
Beckham - 15
Zola -12
Henry - 12
Ronaldo - 11
Larsson - 11
Robert - 11
Pedersen - 10#OptaJoeQuiz pic.twitter.com/MZW6pJ7TNa
But while there are many great goals to choose from…
Franco's goal against Norwich is still one of my favourite ever, Italian wizard! #Zola20 😍
— Matt Annis⚽️ (@MattPandaAnnis) November 8, 2016
…we think this video of Zola putting a Chelsea shirt on over his massive jumper just about sums him up.
It's exactly 20 years ago today Gianfranco Zola, one of the greatest players in our history, signed for Chelsea! 🙌 #Zola20 pic.twitter.com/p2JNC7rtbO
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 8, 2016
He soon got used to the cold.
