Remembering Gianluca Vialli and reflecting on his Chelsea impact

The defending Champions League winners were no match for Vialli’s side as the west London outfit triumphed over Los Blancos 1-0 through a Gus Poyet right-footed rocket set up nicely by Zola in the final seven minutes of regulation. In total, Vialli helped CFC lift five trophies under his tutelage, and is still the second most successful manager when it comes to the number of trophies in the club’s history.

His last contribution to the club before getting sacked after some of the relationships with his players began to dwindle was the 2000 FA Charity Shield. A 2-0 triumph against Manchester United gave United its third straight Charity Shield loss in a row, and a delightful beginning to the season before the results began to go downhill in the league.

His time at CFC was defined by affection, success, and goals. Although Vialli is 58th on the Blues’ all-time goal-scoring list right now, his four seasons at the club were some of the most successful in its history. Vialli, George Graham, and the late Jimmy Greaves are the only three players in CFC history to have 40 or more goals in less than 100 senior appearances for the club.

The Italian had an unmatched work ethic that was demonstrated through his play on the pitch, and his preparation for matches on the sideline. He leaves not only the football world but the world itself a better place than he found it. Vialli produced memories to last a lifetime in just four years with CFC, becoming an icon with the fans like no one else could.

Rest in peace to one of the best to ever put on a Chelsea kit from all at PoL, you will never be forgotten.