A Chelsea supporter was overcome with emotion as she got the chance to meet her favourite player, N’Golo Kante, after the team’s training session on Thursday.
The club’s latest Community Day saw a number of fans invited to come and watch their heroes get put through their paces before meeting them afterwards for pictures and autographs.
And Telamsile Dlamini, referred to the Blues by the Willow Foundation – the only national charity working with seriously ill young adults to fulfil uplifting and unforgettable Special Days – was blown away by the experience.
Chelsea took to Twitter to share a video of the 21-year-old wiping away a tear as she watched on at the Cobham Training Centre before she was greeted by French midfielder Kante, who surprised her with a signed Chelsea shirt.
Speaking over the clip, the young Blues fan admitted she didn’t believe such a day would be possible when her social worker asked her what she would most like to do.
‘That moment I stepped foot on that training section where we were waiting,’ she reflected. ‘I can’t believe that I’m here, no, no, it’s not me that is here it’s just. No way, no way, I’m not here, it’s not me, it’s just not me. But actually, it was me.
‘Today was very special because I got to meet my favourite football player, N’Golo Kante,’
‘It was just wonderful and I’m pretty sure my siblings enjoyed it just as much as I did. It’s been truly amazing!’
Another player to spend time with the special visitors was midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who said: ‘It’s great to take some time out and give back to the community – it’s very important to make sure we do these things.
‘You just have to look at the smiles on the children’s face to see how much it means to them.
‘I enjoy these opportunities to give back as do the rest of the squad – it’s important we give these moments to our supporters and also to those who may need that little bit of a boost during a difficult time.’
