Frank Lampard calls up England legend hours before Soccer Aid game against Rest of the World
England's squad for the Soccer Aid clash is now complete after Frank Lampard brought in one of his former teammates.
Frank Lampard has made a late, game-changing addition to his England squad ahead of the Soccer Aid clash with the Rest of the World.
Chelsea's record goalscorer and former manager Lampard returns to Stamford Bridge for his Soccer Aid managerial debut.
He will flanked by uncle Harry Redknapp as they go up against Mauricio Pochettino, who is back in west London to coach the opposition mere weeks after leaving Chelsea.
Advert
Along with a slew of celebrities from many different worlds, England's star-studded squad includes former players Gary Cahill, Joe Cole, Jack Wilshere, Jermain Defoe, David James and Theo Walcott.
But just hours before the game, it's been confirmed that another great has been added to the ranks.
Lampard has used his contacts wisely and drafted in former club and national teammate colleague Ashley Cole, widely deemed to be the greatest left-back in Premier League.
Cole, capped 107 times by England, played in the 2021 Soccer Aid fixture at the Etihad Stadium and will be back in the Three Lions shirt at a familiar stadium.
He retired in 2019 and was most recently on Wayne Rooney's coaching staff at Birmingham City.
On Instagram, the official Soccer Aid account posted: "Added to the squad. "Ashley Cole PLAYS for England at Stamford Bridge tonight."
Lampard was clearly delighted with his late bit of business, commenting: "Here he is @theofficialac3" with an England flag and strong emoji.
He will come up against former Chelsea teammates Eden Hazard, Petr Cech John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien, as well as household names like Patrice Evra, Alessandro Del Piero.
England have not won the UNICEF charity game since a 2018 penalty shoot-out at Old Trafford, with the Rest of the World emerging victorious for five years on the trot.
Pochettino's men have already secured one victory after prevailing in the penalty shoot-out to claim the home dressing room.
SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated transfer news channel to send you the latest deals, rumours and more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.
Topics: Frank Lampard, England, Soccer Aid, Chelsea, Ashley Cole
Josh Lawless