Chelsea news: Blues announce plans to visit Japan as part of 2019/20 pre-season tour

The Blues' last visit to Japan was in 2012 for the Club World Cup

Chelsea have announced plans to play a match in Japan during pre-season ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

The visit to Japan is the first of a set of friendlies the club have confirmed, although details of the venue, opponent as well as ticket details are yet to be announced.

Chelsea’s last visit to Japan was for the 2012 Club World Cup, where Rafa Benitez’s side were beaten in the final by Brazilian side Corinthians.

Chelsea’s last visit to Japan was for the 2012 Club World Cup (Getty)

Didier Drogba, who recently announced his retirement from football, is in Japan working as an ambassador for Chelsea and believes the visit will be a ‘fantastic occasion’.

“It will be an amazing experience for the Chelsea players to play in Japan,” he said. “Having been here just 24 hours, I have already seen the passion football fans here in the country have so I am sure it will be a fantastic occasion for everybody.”

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck added: “We are looking forward to visiting Japan again and we will take the strongest squad possible to play in front of our fans there.”

The profile of football in Japan has been increased by Fernando Torres, Andreas Iniesta and Lukas Podolski’s high-profile transfers to the J1 League.