helsea followers paid a touching tribute to the late Gianluca Vialli earlier than their FA Cup tie in opposition to Manchester City on the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Vialli handed away this week on the age of 58 following a protracted battle with pancreatic most cancers and Chelsea paid their respects to the Blues legend of their first match since his dying.
Chelsea supporters sung the title of the Italian throughout a minute’s applause earlier than the sport on the Etihad Stadium.
Gamers additionally wore black armbands and the Chelsea squad wore particular t-shirts within the heat up with Vialli’s No9 on the again.
Vialli spent three years at Stamford Bridge as each a participant after which supervisor.
The Italian received the FA Cup with Chelsea in 1997, was named player-manager in 1998 and went on to steer the Blues to victory within the League Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Tremendous Cup that yr. He additionally guided Chelsea to FA Cup success in 2000.
Vialli was first recognized with pancreatic most cancers in 2017. He was given the all-clear a yr later however in 2021 he introduced it had returned.
Talking forward of the sport, Chelsea Graham Potter mentioned: “It has been an emotional few days. He is a Chelsea legend.
“What he has achieved in his football career is amazing but the most poignant thing is how everybody speaks about him as a human being and a person. We are all incredible proud of him and sad, and our thoughts go to his family.”
