Vialli: Could be back in business (MarkThompson/Allsport)

He made his debut in Cremonese's 1-0 defeat away to Sampdoria but only managed to secure one more appearance that term.

Gianluca's big break and first major season came the year after when he made 31 appearances for the Serie B club.

Vialli remained in Italy but made the jump to Serie A when he joined Sampdoria in 1984. He collected three Italian FA Cups in 1985, 88, 89 and a European Cup Winners medal in 1990 before moving on.

He joined Juventus in 1992 for a world record £12.5million where he continued his amazing trophy haul picking up a League Championship, an Italian FA Cup, an UEFA Cup and captained the 1996 European Cup winning side.

Along side an excellent domestic record Vialli also played for the Italian Youth and Under 21 sides before braking into the full international squad.

The striker won 59 Italian caps and scored 16 goals at the highest level representing his country in Mexico 1986 and Italia 1990 World Cup finals plus the 1988 European Championship finals in Germany.

Dutch superstar Ruud Gullet brought the Italian to Chelsea during his term as manager on a free transfer in May 1996. He won the FA cup as a player in 1997 before becoming manager in February 1998 when Gullit got the boot.

The Italian won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in his first term in charge with a 1-0 victory over Stuttgart curtersy of a Gianfranco Zola goal from the bench.

The Coca Cola Cup also headed towards Stamford Bridge at the end of the 98 season.

The latest triumph for Chelsea came when they won the 1999/00 FA cup final, the last to be played at Wembley Stadium, over Aston Villa.

However Chelsea were continually viewed as underachievers considering the talent, and the money spent on that talent, at the London club. A Championship is what everybody at Chelsea really craved.

During his final summer in charge at Stamford Bridge Vialli spent £30million on players, half of which went on Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Despite the outlay Chelsea currently lie 10th in the Premiership already five points behind leaders and champions Manchester United.

Assistant Manager Graham Rix will take control temporarily but Italian Gianfranco Zola is favourite to take over as Chelsea manager.