Chelsea
are set to celebrate a potential Premier League title win with a post-season
friendly in Australia on June 2.
The Blues have announced a friendly with Sydney FC at the ANZ Stadium, a day
after a goalless draw at Arsenal moved them within six points of a first
Premier League crown in five years.
Jose Mourinho's side could secure the title as soon as Sunday with wins at
Leicester and at home to Crystal Palace.
Mourinho said in early April that a tour was being planned to celebrate the
Capital One Cup win and now, with the Premier League title near, the plans
have been announced.
England boss Roy Hodgson may be unhappy with the timing of the excursion,
however, with Chelsea joining Tottenham in going on a post-season tour.
Spurs will play Sydney FC on May 30.
Chelsea defender Gary Cahill is expected to be selected for England, who
play the Republic of Ireland in a friendly in Dublin on June 7 but Mourinho
insisted the club would respect the international release rules in place as
players must be made available 48 hours prior to a friendly.
"We are very pleased we are coming to Sydney at the end of our season, for
the first time in more than 40 years, and we hope our Australian fans can
come and watch us play," Mourinho said on Chelsea’s website.
The Blues have visited Australia twice at the end of the season in the past,
in 1965 and 1974. They will also travel to North America ahead of the
2015-16 season for the International Champions Cup.
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