Gianluca Vialli: Former Italy and Chelsea striker dies aged 58

Vialli represented the Azzurri at two World Cups and won the Champions League in 1996 with Juventus.

Gianluca Vialli, the former Italy, Chelsea and Juventus striker, has died at the age of 58.

The Italian had been suffering from pancreatic cancer for many months, but his condition worsened in the lead-up to Christmas.

Vialli was diagnosed with the illness for a second time in 2021, having been given the all-clear in April 2020 following a 17-month struggle.

He represented the Azzurri in the 1986 and 1990 World Cups, won the Champions League with Juventus in 1996 and gained popularity in England during a short spell at Stamford Bridge.

Vialli would serve as Chelsea's player-manager and then manager, leading them to the European Cup Winners' Cup and the League Cup in 1998, plus the FA Cup in 2000.

He was part of Roberto Mancini's coaching staff during Italy's Euro 2020 triumph last year but had recently stepped down to concentrate on his battle against the illness.