Europa League champions Chelsea to face Bohemians and St Patrick's Athletic in July

Europa League champions Chelsea will take their pre-season preparations to Dublin next month as they take in games with Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic.

The London side will take on Keith Long’s Bohs side at Dalymount Park on Wednesday, July 10^th before facing Harry Kenny’s Athletic at Richmond Park three days later.

The Blues will also face Kawasaki Frontale, Barcelona, Reading and RB Salzburg before rounding up their pre-season with a game in Germany against Borussia Monchengladbach.

The game will come between the home and away legs of the Saints’ Europa League first qualifying round tie with Norrkopping of Sweden.

It’s the second season in a row that Chelsea, who expect to have announced club legend Frank Lampard as manager soon, have spent part of their pre-season program in Ireland.

They took on London rivals Arsenal in a friendly game at the Aviva Stadium last July, drawing 1-1 before losing 6-5 on penalties in the International Champions Cup.

Bohs last took on Chelsea in a friendly at Dalymount Park in July 1999, a 2-0 defeat thanks to goals from Kerry Dixon and Kevin Wilson.

Chelsea’s last encounter with the Saints was more recent, February 2009, when goals from Alan Cawley and Gints Freimanis cancelled out strikes from Fabio Borini and Franck Nouble.

Both sides will make reserved tickets available to members and season ticket holders on Monday when Pats host Shamrock Rovers while Bohs are home to Derry City (live on Eir Sport).

Bohs will allow a maximum of two tickets to be bought by each member, while a maximum of one can be bought with a St Patrick’s Athletic season ticket.

Tickets are priced at €30 for adults for both games and €15 for children under 12/13, and can be purchased via the Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic websites.