'This Chelsea team isn't ready, they look intimidated!' ⚽️ Gianfranco Zola | Up Front

On today’s episode we are joined by one of the most iconic Italians to grace the Premier League. From humble beginnings in his hometown Sardinia, Gianfranco Zola was famed for playing the game in a beautiful way. He became one of the rising stars in his hometown which earned him a big money move to Napoli, who were led by the God-like figure Diego Maradona.

After impressing for Napoli, he moved to Parma and formed a deadly partnership with Faustino Asprilla, challenging Juventus for the Serie A title. However, he struggled for game time the following season under manager Carlo Ancelotti, which opened the door for Zola to make the move to Stamford Bridge. His audacious, entertaining style of play helped ignite Chelsea’s resurgence in the late 90’s and he became a firm favourite for the blues. He’s also widely seen as a trailblazer who formed English football’s early foreign revolution.

After finishing his playing career back home in Sardinia, Gianfranco moved into management, managing teams such as West Ham, Watford and Birmingham City, often under extremely challenging ownership groups. Gianfranco joins the show and opens up on those challenging situations whilst giving his honest opinion on the current footballing landscape and the state of his beloved Chelsea FC.

Warning: This episode may contain strong language. 18+ gamble responsibly.

#UpFront #napoli #simonjordan

00:00 Introduction to Zola
00:52 Podcast starts
01:28 Zola’s journey
07:50 Nuorese Calcio & Torres at 22
11:03 Napoli
13:02 Maradona
18:28 Wanting to do more as a player
21:42 Parma
23:12 Chelsea
34:28 Chelsea in 2024
40:19 Moving into management
41:30 West Ham
46:11 Watford
51:40 Birmingham
52:41 Chelsea assistant manager
01:00:06 Italy National Team

[Vargolis]

If there were more Zola's in the world, the world would be a better place. Commands respect from kindness and decency rather than fear.

[thomasandersen]

One of the best players I have ever had the pleasure to watch (from a Man United fan). Complete class act

[Hiprich]

Oh my God he mentioned Faustino Asprillia! Two legends in the same club. Zola never let any fan down, ever!

[Tarek_ElMaddah]

I’m glad he didn’t criticize the fans for their current frustration, and he criticized the owners respectfully. True gentleman.

[aykoserrin]

In Cornwall there is very little football, its more a rugby county. I hadnt watched a game in my life and was one of those poor misguided that thought the game was simply a bunch of lads kicking a ball around.

In 1996 i was in a pub near Truro and the Chelsea match was on. I glanced at it a couple of times and then i saw a little guy in a yellow away shirt.

He moved like a dancer and had the balance of a gymnast. I watched him outclass anyone that came near him time and time again and it was at that moment i realised i was utterly wrong about football.

This guy made it beautiful and cerebral, graceful and razor-sharp. Thankyou Gianfranco Zola for giving me the love of football.

Nearly three decades later and still my faverite player of all time.

[soulsaproductions]

One of the beautiful game's nice guys and a superlative footballer. The fact that most fans across the Premiership have nothing bad to say about him says it all.

[martinlawrence]

Was lucky enough to see him at the bridge a few times. The best player I ever saw live. And what a lovely humble guy too!

[anthonymcken]

The man, the wizard, the legend, Gianfranco Zola.

[CoachNiklas]

An amazing player with incredible technical skills. Even more, what a wonderful person!

[emran]

Zola what a player! Premier league icon

[Collector]

What a player! In a era where defenders could make tackles

[pulvi]

What an incredible player this guy was, when you talk about flair players with Skills to burn, Zola is right up there with the very best. It’s a shame the national team did not use him to the best of his abilities, but he played at a time when Roberto Baggio was running rampant on the world scene, still, what a delight it was to see him play.

[adamcrawford]

Had the fortune and honour to meet Zola. A humble and kind man. Has time for people. Great interview.

[chrisgrove]

I was at zola’s debut for Chelsea, Blackburn away, he hit the post with a free kick . I just remember watching him for them 90mins thinking to myself what a player we have here and he surpassed all expectations for him . What a player but more so what a man .

GIANFRANCO ZOLA LALALALA GIANFRANCO ZOLA LALALALA

[NICKinD]

Zola oozed class when he came to the Premier league, a true legend.

[steveowen]

Is Zola the most honest sportsman ever???? What an amazing human

[somisak]

I'm a leeds fan for many years and can honestly say although Zola is a Chelsea legend, he's one of the greatest players to have graced the Premier League

[marcosorrentino]

Maradona has given up the No.10 shirt to only one player throughout his career and that’s Zola, Sardinian pride!

[tommac]

He brought us so much joy at the bridge, absolutely fantastic player and in my opinion the best to put that Chelsea shirt on. Also a gentleman away from the pitch, very humble man. I had the pleasure of meeting Zola & Vialli, walked a radiator shop in Belsize road, Kilburn and the pair of them standing there ( random I know ) I went mental lol been a Chelsea fan my whole life so getting to meet a couple of your hero’s as a kid was a dream come true.

[TheMaumonta]

Bravo Gianfranco, I remember sadly the World Cup 1994 in USA when we lost the final to Brazil and his unfair sending off. A true gentleman and an artist of the game