Chelsea announce friendly against Japanese champions

Chelsea have announced they will play a pre-season friendly in Japan in July.

The Blues will take on J1 League champions Kawasaki Frontale at the International Stadium in Yokohama on Friday 19 July.

Chelsea confirmed the date of the fixture on Wednesday morning, having announced in November that the club would be visiting Japan for the first time since the World Club Cup in 2012.

“We are very pleased to be able to confirm the details of this first match we have announced in our pre-season schedule, with more dates to come in the forthcoming weeks,” said club chairman Bruce Buck.

“We are delighted to be returning to Japan after almost seven years and we also thank the J League for their cooperation in organising the game.

“We are sure Kawasaki Frontale will provide high-level opposition at a noisy and passionate International Stadium as we prepare for the season ahead.”

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