Team Europe have been preparing for the Ryder Cup with the help of a former footballer in a Chelsea legend.
The 2025 Ryder Cup will get underway on Friday, with Team Europe looking to retain the title they won two years ago.
The European team took home the title in Italy, with Luke Donald looking to go back-to-back as captain, but up against it on away soil with the competition taking place in New York.
Keegan Bradley is the person tasked with overturning the pain at Bethpage Black Course, Bethpage State Park, and has three days to do just that at the weekend.
But Team Europe may have a trick up their sleeve, with a Premier League legend in the form of a Chelsea icon having earned a spot in the squad to try and help his continent’s bid.
Bizarrely, Gianfranco Zola is part of Team Europe to help the players deal with the pressure from the US fans – something he was used to during his playing career.
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has earned a spot on the Team Europe Ryder Cup team
The Chelsea legend will be tasked with driving around vice-captain Francesco Molinari
Though a keen golfer, the Italian made his name playing football playing for the likes of Chelsea
Speaking to Sky Sports this week, he said: ‘First of all, you have to absolutely be able to enter into a kind of protection bubble.
‘This is one of the first things you need to learn if you play football, because sometimes the environment can be like that [against you].
‘So you have to use it to your advantage and you have to get motivated by that. I’m sure, from what I’ve seen, they look easy. So it should not be a problem’.
Zola is a keen golfer, and has been enlisted as the designated buggy driver for Europe vice-captain Francesco Molinari.
The 42-year-old will be driving Molinari around the course after building a friendship with the golf star, and the duo are often practicing partners.
Zola is thought to have played in several Pro-Ams in his golfing career, and boasts a single-figure handicap.
Despite his love for golf, though, it was on the football field where he made a name for himself, winning the likes of the Premier League (twice) and the FA Cup with Chelsea.
He played 312 times for the Blues, while also starring for the likes of Napoli and the Italy national team.
