The Gentleman
Gianluca Vialli and How He Changed English Football Forever
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The Gentleman
Narrated by:
Luis Soto
Pre-order Now for £13.82
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Narrated by:
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Luis Soto
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By:
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Luca Dal Monte
'Reading these pages helps us understand why we loved Gianluca Vialli, and why we continue to love him today' – Nino Vialli
A vivid, incredibly heartfelt account of Gianluca Vialli’s time in London
Gianluca Vialli signed for Chelsea in May 1996 as a European champion, just days after lifting the Champions League with Juventus. At his peak, he chose to leave Italy’s glittering Serie A for a mid-table
club in a fledgling Premier League, and thus helped ignite a transformation that reshaped Chelsea and changed English football forever. With elegance and intelligence, Vialli brought a new style and ambition to Stamford Bridge.
Written by his close childhood friend Luca Dal Monte, this is an intimate portrait of the man behind the legend, filled with evocative photographs. Drawing on exclusive interviews with Antonio Cabrini, Tim Shaw and Ciso Pezzotti, and featuring a cast of characters including Gianluigi Buffon, Dennis Wise and Ruud Gullit, the book reveals Vialli’s character, leadership and vision, on and off the pitch.
From Chelsea glory to a brief spell at Watford and his courageous battle with cancer, this is the definitive account of Vialli’s English journey, told by someone who knew him best.©2026 Luca Dal Monte (P)2026 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
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Critic reviews
The Italian's reputation was forged throughout a stellar career in playing and management, and also by his warm and dignified personality that made him beloved by so many in football around the globe, not only team-mates but also opponents and supporters alike (Phil McNulty, BBC chief football writer)
One of the greats with a reputation to match
Chelsea legend … loved by fans, players and staff at Stamford Bridge (Chelsea FC)
A wonderful footballer and a warm human being (Graeme Souness)
Modern striker, gifted with power and style ... the most representative player of his generation (Marino Bortoletti)
A beautiful personal account on a beautiful footballer, manager and person (Harry Harris, multi award winning football journalist and broadcaster)
Reading these pages helps us understand why we loved Gianluca Vialli, and why we continue to love him today.
I loved Gianluca. As a person and as a player. All Chelsea fans do and we always will. If you want to understand why or just bask in his glory, read this book (Daniel Finkelstein)
Luca Dal Monte brings Gianluca Vialli’s personality vividly to light. This is a gorgeous book about a gorgeous football man (Richard Fitzpatrick)
Gianluca was a warrior on the pitch, and a true gentleman in life (Ciso Pezzotti)
Dal Monte skilfully weaves the tale of Vialli’s life with his time at Chelsea. The Italian’s love for London and, in particular, Chelsea FC comes across strikingly. A much-loved figure in the history of the club, his life away from Stamford Bridge is also detailed with warmth and sincerity (Matt Davies Adams, Straight Outta Cobham podcast host)
Gripping, heartfelt, and inspiring. This book captures the essence of a footballing maestro who brought unparalleled grace, heart, and class to the English game (James Tippett)
An absorbing, captivating and deeply insightful account of a unique footballing figure. Stylishly and affectionately written, this is the intelligent book Vialli's story deserves (Daniel Gray)
I loved it. It’s a wonderfully written love letter to a friend. It’s also full of heart and soul. It deserves to be widely read (Paul Ferris)
A wonderfully written, deeply personal tribute to one of English football’s most beloved imports (Wayne Barton)
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