GIANLUCA Vialli believes Chris Sutton's move to Stamford Bridge could re-ignite the striker's England prospects.

The Chelsea boss wrapped up the £10 million deal and said: "It's an ideal marriage. We hope at the end of the season we can celebrate something.

"He has played in the national team and that means he's a great player. We can make him even a better player."

Sutton believes his move to the capital will act as a catalyst for his career which was dogged by injury last season as Rovers dropped out of the top flight.

"Chelsea are a great club with great players and a great manager," Sutton said.

"I want to play here. They play the right way, they play attractive football. I think they'll win things.

"Last season was very disappointing for Blackburn.

"But this is a new start for me. I couldn't have come to a better club.

"I was keen to get signed as quickly as possible. Chelsea have got some very experienced players and hopefully I can blend in here."

Sutton becomes Vialli's first English signing but also signals the end of the player-manager's own 19-year career, which includes European Cup, Cup Winners' Cup and UEFA Cup triumphs.

Vialli, who had already announced his decision to quit the game last month, admits the arrival of Sutton makes it easier for him to concentrate on managing. "I'm going to stop playing so I can be a better manager and this is for the club, because I would like to keep on playing," he said.

"As a manager you have to make a decision for the club and this is the time to do it."

Sutton's acquisition might not have happened had the striker Chelsea signed before last season from Lazio not injured his knee early in the campaign.

"We had a Chris Sutton at the beginning of last season when we signed Pierluigi Casiraghi," Vialli said. "When he got injured, we lacked a little bit.

"I think we were lacking some aerial ability. With Chris, we have got a strong player and you always need a strong striker to play good football.

"Chris has ability with the ball but also desire and he can be tough. With Chris Sutton we have ability with the ball and ability without the ball in the way that he makes runs."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.