Former Chelsea midfielder and two-time former Blues boss Frank Lampard will manage England alongside his uncle and legendary manager Harry Redknapp and Soccer Aid co-founder Robbie Williams. However, perhaps more importantly to the Stamford Bridge faithful, will be the homecoming of recently retired Chelsea great Eden Hazard, who returns to west London for the first time in five years. He features in a World XI team managed by current Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Perez.
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Getty ImagesWHAT HAS BEEN SAID
Lampard is relishing his return to SW6, as he said in a statement: “Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Stamford Bridge is special – for any player, on any occasion. I’m excited to be doing that again – this time with Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Managing the Soccer Aid England team with Harry will be a proud moment and great fun – but the main focus is rightly on the millions of pounds we can all raise together. So, please buy your tickets for Sunday 9th June and lend us your support”.
Hazard echoed those thoughts as he sent a message to the Chelsea fans: “My Chelsea family – I am coming home on Sunday 9th June! I can’t wait to see you all again. Playing at Stamford Bridge was always amazing. We won so many trophies together there. Some of the very best memories I have in football – seven brilliant years. I miss them. As I enter a new chapter, we can write new history with Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Together, we can and will raise millions of pounds for children across the world. So, buy your tickets and let’s have a great day together in June”.
Pochettino, who manages the World XI for the second year running, added: “Soccer Aid for UNICEF is a huge event – and one I am delighted to be part of again. The 2023 match was a great experience to be a part of and that is why I was more than happy to accept a return this year, particularly as it will be at Stamford Bridge and with Frank Lampard, a Chelsea legend, in the opposing dugout for England. We raised so much money last year, and I hope we can do the same this time, so please get involved and buy your tickets. A sold-out Stamford Bridge generates an incredible atmosphere and we want the players who are part of Soccer Aid 2024 to enjoy that same feeling when they step out on to the pitch on Sunday 9th June.”
DID YOU KNOW?
England have recorded five victories since its inauguration in 2006 but haven’t won a game since 2018. The World XI are on a five-year winning streak, tallying seven victories in total
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Getty Images/GOAL compositeWHAT NEXT FOR SOCCER AID?
The charity match has raised a cumulative £90m ($115m) for UNICEF since the first game 18 years ago, and has previously seen the likes of Will Ferrell, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Jose Mourinho and Eric Cantona take part. The full list of A-list starts for this year’s event will be continue to be released until the week of the game.
Source Goal.com
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