Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola takes up shock role in Europe's Ryder Cup team

Zola will serve as Francesco Molinari's designated buggy driver as Europe and the USA go head-to-head in golf's most prestigious team event. Molinari is Europe's vice-captain and is a countryman of the former Blues playmaker; in 2018, he became the first Italian major champion after winning The Open. 

Zola has played on a variety of pro-am events on the DP World Tour, and per BBC Sport, he played for the Rest of the World team at the Reignwood Icons of Football tournament. Zola and Molinari became firm friends while the former was managing West Ham, with the golfer a keen Hammers supporter. 

Team Europe will hope that Zola's winning touch helps them find their way to glory; during his time at Chelsea, he won the FA Cup twice, as well as the League Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. At Napoli, he also won Serie A in 1990. 

The Ryder Cup will take place between September 26 and September 28. Europe are currently the holders. Zola's beloved Chelsea, meanwhile, are due back in Premier League action at home to Brighton on Saturday.