Football: Vialli, the 'Michelangelo' of Chelsea

WHEN Vujadin Boskov, the Yugoslav coach of Sampdoria, was asked to describe Gianluca Vialli, he did not hold back. "He defends like a tiger," he said, "attacks like a lion and is sharper than a puma." It remains to be seen whether he has the managerial wisdom of an owl.

There were several paradoxes about the announcement that the 33-year- old Italian striker will become Chelsea's player-manager, not least of which is that he is still at Stamford Bridge. For much of his time under Ruud Gullit, Vialli appeared to be on his way out.

Only last May, as Vialli was about to be given a desultory two-minute appearance in Chelsea's FA Cup final win over Middlesbrough, Gullit appeared to have decided that his first signing as Chelsea manager would stay only for a season.

"I don't want any player to leave, every player here is welcome to stay," he said. "But if the player himself has said he wants to leave, then it is difficult." There was no doubt who he had in mind.

Vialli joined Chelsea in 1996, a few weeks after helping Juventus win the European Cup against Ajax. It was the climax of a career that had begun with his local club, Cremonese, was nurtured under Boskov at Sampdoria and reached full flower at the Stadio delle Alpi.

A strong player who was described as clumsy as a youngster, but who achieved a delicacy of touch in his late 20s, he signed for Juventus in 1992 for a then world record of pounds 12m. Three years later he was world player of the year.

"He is," Gianni Agnelli, the Juventus owner, said, "the Michelangelo of the Sistine Chapel. A sculptor who can transform himself into a painter."

The 1996 European Cup final was a bitter-sweet moment for Vialli, who lifted the trophy knowing it would be his last game for the club. Juventus had offered him only a year's contract with no improvement in wages. "There are ways of making a player unwanted," he said.

His free-transfer status tempted Arsenal and Rangers, but he plumped for Chelsea, or rather fashionable west London, signing a three-year deal worth pounds 4.2m. Soon he was ensconced in a Knightsbridge flat, his distinctive, shaven head frequently seen at the Italian restaurant, San Lorenzo's.

"London was always my dream," he said. "It was a matter of image. Moving from one club to another is never easy. It had to be a radical change."

Vialli began only 25 games for Chelsea in 1996-97, while this season, despite Gullit frequently singling him out for praise, he has started only eight. Yet he has scored seven goals. In charge now, Vialli can select himself as often as he likes.

Azeglio Vicini, the former Italian national coach, is convinced Vialli will succeed. "He is a born leader, he can do well in this double role," he said.

Vialli is hugely popular with the Chelsea supporters and he embarks on his new career at a fortuitous moment. Not many begin management with their team second in the Premiership and one match away from Wembley in the Coca-Cola Cup.

The puma, the lion and the tiger have landed on their feet. Gianluca Vialli

1964: Born Cremona.

1980-84: Signs for Cremonese.

1984: Joins Sampdoria for pounds 1.8m.

1985: Makes international debut.

1989: Loses to Barcelona in European Cup-Winners' Cup final.

1990: Wins European Cup-Winners' Cup, scoring twice in final. Takes part in World Cup in Italy.

1991: Wins Italian title with Sampdoria.

1992: Loses European Cup final to Barcelona at Wembley.

1992: Moves to Juventus for world-record pounds 12m fee.

1993: Uefa Cup winner.

1995 Wins the Italian League and Cup double. Voted World Player of the Year.

1996: Wins European Cup as Juventus beat Ajax on penalties. Joins Chelsea on free transfer.

1997: Wins FA Cup.

1998: Becomes Chelsea player-manager.