John Terry names the one Chelsea signing that actually made him go ‘wow’

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Chelsea have been known to bring in some of the world’s best players over the last 30 years or so, and John Terry has been present to play with a large majority of them.

The club legend is arguably Chelsea’s greatest ever player, but he has shared the stage with the likes of Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba over the years.

There has been a lot of praise over the players brought in this summer by Chelsea. Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian and Jamie Gittens have all come in with plenty of excitement.

Terry has tipped Chelsea to launch a title charge this season, as the club desperately searches for a return to the good times experienced when he was captain of the side.

Gianfranco Zola signing for Chelsea made John Terry say ‘wow’

One of the first big name players who joined the club from Europe was Gianfranco Zola, and he went on to become an icon in West London.

Terry was asked during ‘The Joy of Football’ podcast if there were any signings Chelsea had made that really made him say ‘wow’.

He said: “I think Gianfranco Zola very early on was a big player in that. The Italian players were great because we used to, as you know, train at Harley and no food. When it was food, it was burger and chips and bacon sandwiches and this that and the other.

“And the Italians just couldn’t believe it, could they? It was like we had to get thrown out on a Wednesday afternoon because the college were coming in. And these guys really changed the mindset of what it looked like to be a top footballer.”

The Italian is currently keeping tabs on goings on at Stamford Bridge, and Zola has been full of praise for Enzo Maresca since he took over at the club.

Zola’s record at Chelsea

After a successful career already in Italy, Zola made the move to Chelsea in 1996, as a European revolution began in West London.

Joining the likes of Roberto di Matteo, Gianluca Vialli and co at Stamford Bridge, he enjoyed success including two FA Cups and two European trophies.

Zola would briefly play back in his home country for Cagliari before retirement in 2005, and he leaves behind a legacy at a number of clubs, however no bigger than at Stamford Bridge.