Italian legend and former Chelsea player Gianluca Vialli died of pancreatic cancer

He is considered one of the best strikers of the 1980s and 1990s. He is as much a legend in Italy as he is with Chelsea fans in London. Gianluca Vialli died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 58.

He had fought the disease for many years. Vialli was diagnosed with cancer in 2017. In 2020, Roberto Manicini took him into the implementation team and the worst chapter of his life seemed to be over.

With Italy, he was able to enjoy a win but in December 2021 the disease returned again and Vialli had to undergo treatment again. But this time it was unsuccessful.

The Italian striker spent the longest part of his career in Italy. He passed through Cremonese in succession, becoming a legend at Sampdoria Genoa, where he scored 85 goals in 223 games.

He then moved to Juventus, with whom he won the Champions League in 1992. After four seasons, he then headed to Chelsea in London.

Here he immediately became a great fan favourite and in 1998 became the first Italian coach in the Premier League after the departure of coach Ruud Gullit.

With Chelsea he won the then Cup Winners’ Cup (1998), the League Cup and in 2000 as acting coach the FA Cup.

However, he retired from the club at the start of the millennium and after one brief stint at Watford, he ended his coaching career. He subsequently worked as a television pundit and ran a business.

He played 59 games for the national team in which he scored 21 goals. He took part in two World Cups. The outstanding striker is survived by his wife and their two daughters.

Source:: Sport.cz