Chelsea are to give trials to four Chinese youngsters after agreeing a partnership with a talent show in the People's Republic.
The Super Soccer Star programme will be broadcast in the southern Chinese
province of Guangdong next month, and the lucky quartet who are judged to have
the most promise will then visit Chelsea's academy at Cobham in Surrey and their
Stamford Bridge ground.
The contest is open to players aged between 14 and 16 and is another component
of Chelsea's bid to boost their profile and presence in the Far East.
They are already the official football development partner of the Asian
Football Confederation's Vision China project, which aims to set up 10 city
leagues in China.
Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon said: 'We are delighted to be involved in
such an innovative project that helps us deliver on our continuing commitment to
promote grass roots football amongst youngsters in China.
'The show complements our involvement in Vision China with the AFC as well as
showcasing Chelsea to a large audience and we look forward to hosting the
finalists of Super Soccer Star in England.'
