Chelsea legend Gianluca Vialli has confirmed that he is working with Nick Candy in his attempt to buy the Blues from Roman Abramovich: ‘I am fully behind his visions.’
The British government has sanctioned the Russian oligarch due to his link with Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine three weeks ago. There have been several rumours regarding Chelsea’s potential buyers and club legend Gianluca Vialli confirmed his support to Candy in his bid to acquire the club.
“I have met Nick Candy on a number of occasions over the last few weeks and I am fully behind his visions and commitment to make Chelsea the most globally recognised and supported club in the world, as well as maintaining the ongoing success on the pitch,” the former striker told Mail Online.
“We share the same view that if the bid is successful, we will try to be the best possible custodians of the club, knowing that it is imperative that supporter concerns are front and centre of any owner’s priorities,” the former Sampdoria and Juventus star added.
“I find Mr Candy to be an ambitious but realistic and very successful entrepreneur and I have been impressed by his enthusiasm and desire to start a new era for the club that we are both so incredibly fond of.
“I am pleased that an English businessman is leading a consortium that will bring diverse expertise and experience to the table, with the goal to make Chelsea a better club for the sake of the fans.”
EXCL: Gianluca Vialli is working alongside Nick Candy in his bid to buy Chelsea as British property developer hires help of Stamford Bridge icon's investment company | @MattHughesDM https://t.co/BcUhpYOKxT
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) March 16, 2022
Vialli had also been linked with buying Sampdoria after the arrest of president Massimo Ferrero in December, but multiple sources repeatedly denied reports. The ex-striker spent three seasons at Chelsea during his playing career, becoming one of the most important players in the club’s history thanks to his 40 goals in 78 games. He won four trophies at Stamford Bridge, including a UEFA Super Cup in 1998 and an FA Cup in 1997.
He is part of Roberto Mancini’s Italy staff and played a crucial role in cementing the Azzurri group during last summer’s winning Euro 2020 campaign.