Photo: Ronnie Macdonald / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Former Chelsea captain Gary Cahill has described his week in Sydney as a club ambassador during the Blues' pre-season tour as an experience he will always remember.
Cahill, who never visited Australia before the trip, said the role has given him opportunities unavailable during his playing days. Rather than resting between sessions or preparing for matches, he spent the week engaging with supporters and exploring the city.
The ex-defender visited Bondi Beach and Coogee Beach, and joined a ferry trip to Taronga Zoo, where he fed an emu. "That's an experience I'll always remember," he said.
Cahill identified the supporters' events as the highlight of the trip. "I've always known how big Chelsea is around the world, yet it's only by coming to different countries that you truly realise how passionate the fans are about the club," he said. He noted that Australian supporters sometimes get up in the middle of the night to watch matches in London.
The 38-year-old said his ambassador duties bring back memories of his playing career. "When I'm around training or am pitch-side ahead of a game against Tottenham… that's when I want to be back out there with the boys representing this club," Cahill added.
Cahill confirmed he will not continue with the tour to Hong Kong or other remaining stops, with another former Chelsea player set to take over ambassador duties for the second week.