Super
Eagles duo of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses joined other Chelsea
players to spread some Christmas spirit at the club’s festive fun day,
as they surprised children and their families with a visit at the
Westminster Hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
The
players spread festive cheer with the visit, delivering presents for the
kids, posing for pictures and signing autographs around the wards.
Sadly, some of the children will be in hospital over Christmas and so
the Blues popped in following the morning’s training session at Stamford
Bridge.
The annual visit to the Chelsea and
Westminster, just along the Fulham Road, is a significant one for the
players. Club legend John Terry was joined by the likes of Eden Hazard,
Cesar Azpilicueta, Nemanja Matic and David Luiz to hand out presents,
sign autographs and pose for photographs with the club’s younger
supporters.
Pedro, Michy Batshuayi and Kurt Zouma also
attended the event and the French defender appeared to be all smiles as
he continues his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury. Earlier in
the day, Blues boss Antonio Conte visited Chelsea and Westminster
Hospital to hand out presents to children who have been forced to spend
the Christmas period away from home in hospital.
First-team
regulars Willian, Marcos Alonso and Cesc Fabregas also spent time with
the children and staff at the hospital, which is situated just a short
distance from Stamford Bridge.
Brazilian stars Kenedy
and Luiz also gave up their morning to take part in the visit and the
former Paris Saint-Germain defender proved to be especially popular with
a number of young Blues fans. “Each year we come and it is important
for us as players to do this and to see the kids,’ said Cesar
Azpilicueta.
“I am a parent myself and I know how
special this time is. Christmas is normally a very happy time but for
these kids and their families it is very difficult so it is nice for us
to come here, give them presents and to spend time with them. It is also
nice for us to be able to do this and to make people’s day nicer.”
One
young admirer of the Spanish international was Lucy Pollock, below, who
was delighted to meet the players and receive a selfie stick. “She has
had some issues with her tummy and has go to start a diet of a milky
drink for the next six weeks which will get her better,’ her mum Lucy
explained. ‘She’s been in and out since 6 November, but we are going
home for Christmas which is very exciting.
“It’s
fantastic to see the players. It’s quite quiet here normally and she
feels like she has missed the build-up to Christmas at school with the
play, the games and the jumper day, so it’s lovely for the players to
come in.”
Meanwhile, Conte’s men return to action against Bournemouth on Boxing Day before facing Stoke at home on New Year’s Eve.
