With conceding goals being a major issue last season, Chelsea signed
Dutch international goalkeeper
Ed de Goey, who proved to be a relative success. Chelsea's only other major signings were young
Norwegian striker
Tore Andre Flo and
Uruguayan international midfielder
Gustavo Poyet from
Real Zaragoza, who added more goals from an otherwise very defensive midfield. Chelsea were well on course for a top-five finish and success in the
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the
League Cup when manager
Ruud Gullit was sacked on 12 February following a dispute with chairman
Ken Bates. His job went to 33-year-old striker
Gianluca Vialli, who took on the role of player-manager and achieved instant success - within three months of his appointment, Vialli had guided the Blues to glory on the continent and at Wembley. This success gave Chelsea fans hope that
the following season could spell the end of their title wait which began in 1955. ==Final league table==