Blues school Thai kids

Four Chelsea players led by England international Gary Cahill handed a group of Thai youngsters a unique opportunity at a Singha Coaching Clinic yesterday.

Belgian international duo Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, England under-21 player Josh McEachran and Cahill are among members of the Blues squad due to play an exhibition match against the Singha All Stars at Rajamangala National Stadium tomorrow.

The quartet were participating in the event as part of the Blues’ “Here To Play Here To Stay” project, initiated by Chelsea with the aim of boosting football in the countries they visit.

Prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s son, Supasek Amornchat, was among the 51 children who got the chance to be coached by the London club’s staff at the indoor Super Kick facility, before the four Chelsea players joined them to check on their skills.

While the Belgian pair and McEachran turned up in full football kit, the 27-year-old Cahill was more relaxed in his attire, taking to the pitch in bare feet for the four training stations.

Cahill, who joined Chelsea in 2012 from Bolton Wanderers, was soon regretting his footwear decision after being left red-faced by a skilful Thai youngster who dribbled the ball through his legs, sparking cheers of delight from watching fans. At the end of the session, the Chelsea quartet signed each youngster’s shirt, before capping the day with group photos. 

Though he didn’t get to meet his favourite Chelsea player, Frank Lampard, the 11-year-old Supasek, nicknamed “Pike”, was thrilled at the chance to train with Chelsea’s first-team players, an experience he said he “would never forget”.

“It was a lot of fun [training with Chelsea]. I realised how much more I have to learn. They are very good. If we want to get to their level, we need to train a lot more.”

Pike said he would attend the Chelsea match tomorrow, which is being held to mark the 80th anniversary of Singha’s Boon Rawd Brewery, with whom the London club has a lucrative sponsorship deal. 

The youngster was uncertain over whether the Singha side could repeat Saturday’s surprise 1-0 win over Manchester United.

“I’m not sure [if Singha can beat Chelsea]. I think [Manchester United] may have had a problem with the hot weather. They were not able play at the level expected of them,” he said.