
14. Gianfranco Zola
Yes, Chelsea had icons even before the Abramovich era. Nobody symbolises the pre-oligarch days more than Gianfranco Zola. The imp-like Italian might not be the most prolific forward on this list, but his dazzling skills and equally dazzling smile earned him a spot.
Zola was crowned the Football Writers’ Player of the Year in 1997 following his first campaign at Stamford Bridge, and his seven years in London featured two FA Cups, the League Cup and the winner in a Cup Winners’ Cup final. Back in 2003, he was voted Chelsea’s greatest ever player. While he might not be rated that now, it just shows how influential he was.