Gianluca Vialli

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19 minutes ago, Superblue said:

I'm so gutted about Luca today, this one just cuts.

I was just 9 years old when he joined in the summer of 1996, and although football around the globe wasn't as readily available as it is today, Italian football at this point was the pinnacle and this was a household name whom we had just weeks before watched captain Juventus to the Champions League. He might have been a declining force on the world stage but like Ruud Gullit a year before him, it was a world superstar coming to the Bridge the likes of which we'd not seen before.

The move could easily have gone so wrong, but for someone with such a huge career behind him there was no ego. Every time he graced the pitch at the Bridge he gave everything and the fans in turn reciprocated the love. That 4-2 comeback against Liverpool is one of my all time favourite games, where he scored the third and fourth and I was at the Cup Final in 1997 and one of the clearest memories I have of it was Vialli's introduction late in the game and the first time he got the ball, the atmosphere was electric for him.

Maybe there's bias and Chelsea blinkers on, but I've always felt a lot more of the foreign players that come to Chelsea hold an affinity for the club long after their time here than most other clubs, and Vialli highlighted that. Despite spending the twilight of his career here, you can tell how much he loved the club, still followed and supported us to his death and continued living in the area for the rest of his life even after leaving.

Despite the success under Roman, that late 90's side is up there, if not my all time favourite era supporting the club - a time where it was just enjoyable without the pressures and level of scrutiny/exposure that exists today, and I feel blessed that I lived to experience such a great player and man represent the club that I love. Cancer is a bitch, and having seen up close what it can do to a human being, the one solace that I can take is there's no pain and suffering for him anymore.

Rest in Peace Luca, we love you x

great post

[Superblue 6,372]

It's forgotten because United won the treble that year, but that 98/99 team were incredible and only finished 4 points off United that season. We lost Poyet for a period who at the time was Lampard esque with his scoring from midfield and we let a 2 goal lead slip at home to Leicester and I think lost to West Ham too late in the season when we were arguably in the ascendancy to go on and win it.

Given the way that United side are revered (and rightly so winning a treble), it could so easily have ended up rewriting a significant sporting achievement.

[ulsterchelsea 3,221]

I'm beyond gutted, genuinely upset about Luca. Such a lovely guy. Was one of those that felt like we'd signed a genuine world class star. And what a legacy he left. Felt like he won us loads at the time as manager. I'm just really sad about it all. God bless Luca 

[Laylabelle 9,534]

So so sad! You sorta suspected it was coming after news from a few weeks ago but still a shock.. RIP

[Vesper 30,086]

Chelsea Women hold minute's silence for Gianluca Vialli at training, as fans begin to leave flowers at Stamford Bridge in tribute to 'Luca' after the death of their former manager at 58

• A minute's silence was held before Chelsea Women trained on Friday afternoon
• Gianluca Vialli dead: Ex-Chelsea and Italy striker dies from cancer aged 58 
• Vialli was incredibly popular at Chelsea as a player and then a manager later on
• OBITUARY: Vialli was football's 'Lion King' and he showed his class until the end
• LIVE: Follow all the latest updates as tributes pour in for the popular Italian 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11606671/Chelsea-Women-hold-minutes-silence-Gianluca-Vialli-training.html

[Fulham Broadway 17,299]

I remember watching him on channel 4 in the 90s when they had Italia Football on Sunday afternoons - quite exotic back then.

Talking of which his team mate at Sampdoria, Souness  has had a meltdown on Skysports, calling him a 'gorgeous soul'.

What is galling is he was diagnosed in 2017 and given the all clear in 2020. 

[Norfolkblue1961 56]

Such sad news of his passing. A fantastic footballer and such a lovely man. I was lucky enough to be at Old Trafford in 1996-7 when he scored the winner in a 2-1 victory.

RIP Luca...Blues Legend

[Superblue 6,372]

1 hour ago, Fulham Broadway said:

I remember watching him on channel 4 in the 90s when they had Italia Football on Sunday afternoons - quite exotic back then.

Talking of which his team mate at Sampdoria, Souness  has had a meltdown on Skysports, calling him a 'gorgeous soul'.

What is galling is he was diagnosed in 2017 and given the all clear in 2020. 

His Chelsea look is pretty iconic that it's easy to forget he was playing for Sampdoria and initially with Juve with a full head of hair!

90's Italian Football on Channel 4 was incredible, iconic music too! A ridiculously strong league back in those days, with so many strong clubs and top players and Luca was one of the best of them.

[cosmicway 1,333]

Chelsea legend - RIP

[Chelsea65 2]

Shook his hand at the Harlington training ground , was a absolute privilege to meet a true gentleman . We could really do with someone now with his passion in our current squad. Lead by example. 

 

[Laylabelle 9,534]

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/books-of-condolence-opening

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4 hours ago, Laylabelle said:

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/books-of-condolence-opening

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4 hours ago, Laylabelle said:

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/article/books-of-condolence-opening

if you cannot make it to SB, then you can sign online here:

Gianluca Vialli : Book of Condolence

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/gianluca-vialli-book-of-condolence

Everyone associated with Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the passing of Gianluca Vialli, our former player and manager, at the age of just 58.

As soon as he walked through the door at Stamford Bridge when already a global football star, Luca declared his wish to become a Chelsea legend. It is a target he undoubtedly reached, revered for his work on the pitch and in the dugout during some of the most successful years in our history. Loved by fans, players and staff at Stamford Bridge, Luca will be sorely missed not just by the Chelsea community, but the entire footballing world.

Our thoughts are with Luca’s wife Cathryn, his daughters Sofia and Olivia, and the rest of his family and his friends at this terribly sad time.

If you would like to add a message or memory to our online book of condolence, please do so below.

Entries will not become viewable immediately but a collection will be published here in due course.

[Laylabelle 9,534]

Charity game in September in tribute of him..

So far Essien,Cudicini,Zola,John Terry and Di Matteo

Edited May 9, 2023 by Laylabelle

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