Premier League -04/07/2009
Chelsea verdict
The Italian maestro picked up nearly half of the vote, romping to victory ahead of present-day stars Frank Lampard and John Terry, who claimed 32 per cent and 10 per cent .
However, there was scant regard paid to the club's past, with the five contenders outside the top three collecting less than a tenth of the vote between them.
1960s and 70s icon Peter Osgood collected four per cent, while club legends Peter Bonetti, Ron 'Chopper' Harris, John Hollins and Bobby Tambling were virtually ignored.
The winner - Gianfranco Zola (Chelsea 1996-2003)
Perhaps strangely, given the club's reputation during the last two decades, Zola was the only foreign player in the shortlist. The Italian was anything but a mercenary, however, combining wholehearted effort with spectacular flair and creativity. Eighty goals in 312 games does not tell the story of his brilliance. Just watch the footage of his backheel volley against Norwich, or the scooped through-ball for Gus Poyet to slam in against Sunderland on the opening day of the 1999/00 season. Pure magic.
Eurosport-Yahoo! verdict
1- Frank Lampard
2- Ron Harris
3- Gianfranco Zola
Readers' verdict (30352 votes):
1- Gianfranco Zola - 49% (14891)
2- Frank Lampard - 32% (9714)
3- John Terry - 10% (3151)
4- Peter Osgood - 4% (1241)
5- Peter Bonetti - 2% (500)
6- Ron Harris - 1% (440)
7- Bobby Tambling - 1% (218)
8- John Hollins - 1% (197)
Pick of your comments
David J: For once, I can't fault the Eurosport-Yahoo! verdict. I've been a Chelsea fan since 1963. Frank Lampard stands head and shoulders above all others that have come and gone since then. The quality of his play and commitment to the cause, week in, week out, for eight long years put him in a class of his own - ahead of "Chopper Never Lets a Dago By" (sign at the 1971 Cup-Winners' Cup Final vs Real Madrid) and the delightful magic of Zola. How many other 30-year-old players are given five-year contracts these days? He's the only player in England that can be sure to be fit enough and good enough to merit it.
rag2706: Although he wasn't a true blue Chelsea player, Jimmy Greaves's goal record speaks for itself and he deserves more of a mention.
reubenkatiemartin: Surely Kerry Dixon needed more of a mention as does Michael Essien, and I can't believe that neither Pat Nevin or Charlie Cooke are there. And where is Micky Droy?
keith j: Im a Man Utd Fan and I wanted us to buy Zola before Chelsea got him and what a player he was for Chelsea. Superb, better that Cantona.
clabgam: I'm a Chelsea fan and Lampard and Terry have not done enough, yet they still have time to perform on the biggest stage - the Champions league final. Zola was the best no doubt, he had everything in his game.
Peter S: Easy - Zola, Osgood, Harris. I'm not sure why any of the current crop are on the shortlist given that the smallest sniff of more cash and they'd be off - not the stuff that legends are made of.
RON H: Supporter since 1937 days of Weaver, Mills and Vic Woodley. My player would be Osgood. Charlie Cooke was a delight for 20 minutes not 90.