Zola greatest import to England, says Lampard

FRANK LAMPARD declared that Gianfranco Zola was the best ever overseas import to English football as he urged the veteran Italian striker to stay at Chelsea for one final season.

Zola, 36, will decide this summer whether to extend his stay in the Premiership into an eighth season and, given his enduring form and rediscovered sharpness in front of goal, the chances are that he will be persuaded to play on.

Such has been his impact on English football already, however, that Lampard rates his team-mate above Eric Cantona and Dennis Bergkamp as the most influential foreign star to have graced the English top-flight.

Lampard declared: “You can talk about people like Dennis Bergkamp and Eric Cantona, and I think Cantona would be the one nearest to him for his influence on Manchester United as a club, but Franco is definitely the best.

“He’s got individual skill, has helped Chelsea win trophies and the way that he holds himself makes people respect him.

“That’s where Cantona was a bit different. Franco is a great ambassador for kids to look up to and he always has time to sign autographs. That makes him not only a great player but also a great man,” said Lampard.

Chelsea fans recently voted Zola, who joined Chelsea in November 1996 for £4.5m from Parma, as the club’s best ever player by an overwhelming majority.

There is even talk of his number 25 shirt being retired when he does finally call it a day.

However, having been persuaded to carry on this season, Lampard hopes that Zola can be talked into staying on longer once again.

“I think Franco’s got another season in him. It’s his decision and we’ll understand whatever he does, but he hasn’t let up and that speed and desire haven’t left him,” he said.

Zola passed the milestone of his 300th appearance for Chelsea last weekend against Blackburn and has scored 77 goals for the club in that time, helping them to win the FA Cup twice, League Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup.

The former Italian international, who was voted as the player of the year in his first season in English football despite only arriving in November, remains an immensely popular and admired figure.

“I’ve always admired him, even before I got to Chelsea. In fact, one of the reasons that I signed for Chelsea was to play with such a legend,” said Lampard.