Here's the link to the original story http://www.football365.com/Homegrounds/Chelsea/News/story_56280.shtml, written by an Arsenal fan! And, as promised, here's my reply...

"Gianfranco Zola… harmless? Physically, yes. But put a football at his feet and he is anything but harmless. Just ask any of the defenders who have had the unenviable task of marking the little Italian maestro.

I think Pete Gill needs to ask himself the real reason why Eric Cantona and Dennis Bergkamp were/are so unpopular with rival fans. It’s not just because the pair of them scored vital goals. It’s the manner in which they play the game, willing to do anything to win.

Some describe them of having an incredible desire to win, but most define them as cheating thugs! Eric Cantona had an awful disciplinary record throughout his career which is enough on it’s own to make him unpopular. But add to that numerous run-ins with match officials, a well aimed Bruce Lee style kung fu kick at a Crystal Palace fan and you’ve got one unpopular player.

As for Bergkamp, all I can say about him is that the guy likes to use his elbows. He is downright cynical and the fact that referees rarely pick up on his cynicism makes him even more unpopular in the eyes of rival fans.

Now to Gianfranco. Apart from one extremely out of character incident at the 1994 World Cup, he has been the model professional. He plays the game with a smile on his face and is an absolute joy to watch. Is it any wonder that he is so popular?

As for his best moments this season coming against Shrewsbury, I am sure Man City and Everton fans will disagree with that, not too mention Blackburn Rovers fans. If anything, he is guilty of saving his best moments for away matches this season, where there is more space for him to exploit.

Whilst never being a prolific goalscorer, it was always Franco’s creativity that endeared him to fans everywhere. But that doesn’t mean he, as Pete puts it, “never really mattered when it came to sorting out silverware.”

His goals in the 1997 FA Cup run were all vital, including a semi final stunner against Wimbledon that left the Dons out for the count.

Then there’s the impact he made on the 1998 Cup Winner’s Cup Final. He came off the bench in the second half and it took Franco all of 30 seconds to make his mark, smashing in the game’s only goal.

Granted these are not title races, but the victories in these competitions were supposed to be the stepping stones (ahem!) for Chelsea to go on to bigger and better things.

And does Mr Gill really think that Zola is popular when he is lining up against his ‘supporters’ team? Of course he isn’t, it is when fans are watching him as a neutral on The Premiership with all his dazzling skills on show.

Before I sign off, I’ll leave you all with a memory that sums up both Franco’s genius or harmlessness, depending on your perspective on things.

With Chelsea cruising 3-0 against Sunderland a few years back, Franco flicked the ball high into the air for Gus Poyet to hammer the ball home with a ferocious volley. The work of a genius, or that of a harmless “child”? I’ll leave that for you to decide…"