It’s a bloody good year for association football fans in Australia. Already we’ve got some of the globe’s most prestigious teams headed our way, world-leading talent rosters in tow. Manchester City, A.S. Roma, and Real Madrid are set to compete in the round robin International Champions Cup at the MCG throughout July, and fellow European heavyweights Liverpool, Villareal, and Tottenham Hotspur have all previously announced friendly tours as part of their off-season schedules.
Now, there’s yet another giant heading our way. EPL league leaders Chelsea will be visiting familiar shores this coming June when they travel to Sydney’s ANZ Stadium to take on Sydney FC in a friendly exhibition match.
Fairfax Media is reporting that negotiations for the friendly are in advanced stages, with the deal agreed to in principle by both parties. It would mark the first time in 50 years that the Blues have visited Australia.
It’s understood that Chelsea plans on sending a full-strength squad out to Sydney, which would include international superstars like Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, Eden Hazard, and team manager Jose Mourinho.
The planned June 2nd date of the friendly, and Chelsea’s current ten point lead on top of the EPL ladder, means that the match could take place a mere week removed from Chelsea hoisting the English Premier League title.
Sydney FC would be the only opponent for Chelsea on their tour. The match would serve as the second high profile friendly for the Sky Blues in a week, as they take on Tottenham Hotspur at the same venue a mere three days prior.
The match is expected to be confirmed as early as next week.
Photo: Jamie McDonald via Getty Images.
via SMH.
