I'll dream of Wembley then decide on my future; Vialli on his feud with Gullit.
Italian superstar Gianluca Vialli last night opened his heart on the rift with manager Ruud Gullit which is wrecking his love affair with English football.In his frankest interview yet on the crisis which has engulfed his first season at Chelsea, Vialli hinted that if he doesn't play in the FA Cup Final he may quit Stamford Bridge.
Vialli told me yesterday: "I think my relationship with the players has been fantastic and my relationship with the fans is fantastic...with the manager there are some problems.
"But I want to forget them and think about the final. After the final we shall have a chat, I think.
"And then I will decide what is better for me and what is better for Chelsea.
"I don't know what Chelsea think at this moment. I hope they are happy with me. If they are I'd be happy to stay here.
"I can say I had some problems last week. But we have sorted them out, and now I am positive in thinking about playing football, in the final and the last matches in the Premier League."
Vialli attacked Gullit on Italian TV by saying he was embarrassed and humiliated by being stuck on the bench.
But Gullit, Vialli revealed, summoned him to his office for a heart-to-heart.
The Italian said: "Yes, we had a meeting. The manager called me into his office..."
Vialli was on the verge of elaborating until Chelsea officials on the sidelines of a fascinating Press conference whispered in his ear, urging him to be cautious.
Vialli said: "Let's forget it all - until the end of the season."
Vialli clearly wanted to clear the air as he prepared for a rare starting place in the line-up to face Leicester at home today.
He said: "I want to forget everything that happened last week and two weeks ago. Until the end of the season I want to talk only about the club, about football, about matches, about goals.
"I have to be very focused because you never know if the manager will pick you. If he does you have to be ready, physically and mentally.
"This is a team sport, so it's not only about me. Every player wants to play as much as possible. I know Jodie Morris wants to play and Craig Burley as well.
"But Gianfranco (Zola) and Mark (Hughes) are playing fantastic football."
Vialli knows unless he does something special in the next few matches, or unless either Zola or Hughes are injured, he will not start at Wembley. Vialli will give it one more chance. He needs to be wanted, something that Gullit appreciates. But Vialli wants concrete evidence of that - and above all else the chance to play in the Cup final.
Vialli's English has improved no end, illustrating his desire to stay. He took a long time to find his dream home in Eaton Square and the fact he signed an 18-month lease is another example of his desire to stay in London.
Vialli, at 32, is not content to be a bit-part player, But at least he's no longer sulking. "If Chelsea are happy with me I'll be happy to stay," he smiled.
For the moment, Dutchman Gullit is trying to come to terms with the novelty of the peculiar build-up to an FA Cup final. Gullit said: "It is important we end up the season well, but it's difficult to motivate the team because of the circus surrounding the Cup final. They're not talking so much about our game, but how they will organise their interviews, their song. It's all new to me."
Gullit will permit the circus to stay in town, but warns: "I'll make sure it stops a week before the final."
The circus can include a few drinks as well. Gullit will allow his stars to have a pint - but with a warning: Their Wembley places are on the line.
Unlike Kenny Dalglish and Bryan Robson, the Chelsea boss refuses to treat his players like naughty little boys.
Instead, he gives them the chance to prove that they are grown-ups. Gullit said: "I don't mind my players having a pint after a game.
"They know what my philosophy and attitude to this is.
"They know what it takes at this level. If they want to drink they know they risk throwing it all away.
"I don't care what the players do outside of the training camp, but when they come here they have to do the job properly and to achieve that they have to live more seriously.
"We are not continental, we have so many nationalities it is more a global thing, and a good thing.
"I don't run it as if it is Italy or Holland. I run it my own way.
"If they don't play well, they know what's going to happen.
"It's the same as raising kids. You give them responsibilities or they do what they like."
"I've given them their own responsibilities. I don't have to say to them what I want. They know."
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Author: | Harris, - Harry |
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Apr 19, 1997 |
| Words: | 842 |
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