Player Duels: Gianfranco Zola V Eric Cantona

Barney Corkhill's Player Duels is back for another edition! In this series I pit two players against each other, and ask the readers who was better! To vote, simply leave a comment!

Today's duel is between two of the best forwards in the Premier League's history. A Chelsea legend and a Manchester United legend - Gianfranco Zola v Eric Cantona.

Both were star attractions in their teams, and could win a game with a flick of the boot, or a moment of magic of which few are capable.

Gianfranco Zola

Despite being just 5ft 5in, Zola was one of the most feared players in England, and regarded as one of the best in Chelsea's history. His fantastic skill and dazzling tricks made him a favourite not just to Chelsea fans, but to most football fans.

He played as a deep-lying forward, so scored and created a lot of goals. He scored 222 goals in 619 performances over a 21 year career at six different clubs. He perhaps didn't have a international career worthy of his talent, winning just 35 caps, scoring 10 times.

Zola was voted Football Writers' Player of the Year, and has been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame. He was also voted the greatest player to have ever played for Chelsea.

Eric Cantona

Known to United fans as "King Eric", Eric Cantona was confident to the point of cockiness, but with fairly good reason. His skill, presence and pure genius is something rarely seen.

His career stats are 161 goals in 432 games over a 14 year career, including one season when he was banned for the infamous karate kick. Internationally, Cantona won 45 caps for France, scoring 20 goals.

Cantona helped United to four Premier League titles in the five years he was at Old Trafford. He was also voted Manchester United's Player of the Century in 2001, some feat considering some of the names to have played there.

So, ladies and gentlemen, who are you going to go for—Gianfranco Zola or Eric Cantona? Leave a comment to vote!

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