Chelsea set for Bangkok visit

Chelsea set for Bangkok visit

Chelsea star Eden Hazard says he is looking forward to coming back to Thailand for a friendly in Bangkok next week.

"I am really looking forward to visiting Thailand again. I came to Thailand with Chelsea in 2013 and the reaction from our Thai fans was fantastic. It will be great to go back to Thailand and see them again — this time as Premier League champions,'' said the Belgium midfielder who was named England's player of the year by both his peers and journalists.

"Chelsea has so many fans in Thailand who mainly follow us on TV during the season so it will be great to play in front of them live and give something back for their phenomenal support during the season. The players are really excited and travelling to Bangkok with my teammates will be the perfect way to end a great season," he added.

The Premier League champions, who also won the League Cup this term, will play their last league game of the season on Sunday.

They will arrive in Bangkok on May 28 and play against the Thailand All Stars at Rajamangala National Stadium on May 30.

It will be Chelsea's fourth visit to Thailand and second in three years.

In 2013, Jose Mourinho returned as Chelsea manager in the summer of 2013 and the first match of his second spell was a preseason game in Bangkok.

The Blues beat the Singha All-Stars 1-0 at Rajamangala.

Officially called the Singha Chelsea FC Celebration Match, next week's exhibition game will be part of the celebrations of His Majesty the King's 88th birthday and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's 60th birthday.

"We are very proud that Chelsea have chosen Thailand as the first stop of their Asian tour to celebrate their Premier League title,'' said Piti Bhirombhakdi, an executive at Singha Corporation which is a global partner of Chelsea.

Earlier, Adrian New, Chelsea FC managing director of Asia Pacific, said that the Blues decided to return to Thailand because of their good relations with Singha and the reception they got two years ago.

"We want to celebrate our title with fans here,'' said New.

Meanwhile, Chelsea star Petr Cech would like to move to Arsenal, Manchester United or PSG this summer, according to the goalkeeper's agent.

His agent Viktor Kolar said a switch to either of those clubs would appeal.

"Arsenal, United or PSG are all top clubs and Petr would like to join one of them — definitely," he said.

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