Chelsea legend Gianluca Vialli passes away after battle with cancer

Gianluca Vialli, former Italy striker and player for Chelsea, Juventus, Sampdoria, and Watford, passed away last night at the age of 58 after a five-year battle with cancer.

His former clubs and many other footballers and clubs have paid tribute to him on social media and expressed their condolences to his family and friends. Chelsea tweeted: “You’ll be missed by so many. A legend to us and to all of football.

Rest in peace, Gianluca Vialli.” Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali added: “This is truly an awful day for Chelsea Football Club. Gianluca’s legend will live on at Stamford Bridge.

His impact as a player, a coach, and most importantly as a person, will be forever written across our club’s history. We send our heartfelt and deepest condolences to his family and friends.”