With the match being held in memory of the late Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Di Matteo and Gianfranco Zola, along with Claudio Pizarro who played for both Chelsea and Bayern, visited the hospital where Chelsea’s former number 9 was treated for pancreatic cancer.

The trio met with Professor David Cunningham (pictured top with the former Blues) who was Vialli’s consultant and some of the clinicians who treated him, before visiting current patients in the medical day unit.

Di Matteo, Zola and Pizarro surprised the team with signed ‘Vialli 9’ Chelsea shirts as well as providing gifts for the patients.

50 per cent of the match proceeds will be donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity with the other 50 per cent going to the Chelsea Foundation.

Roberto Di Matteo, who will manage the Chelsea Legends team on the night, said: ‘The game is going to be important for many factors – one is certainly celebrating Gianluca’s life, and there is raising awareness of early detection of cancer, and raising funds for The Royal Marsden and the Chelsea Foundation, combined with the celebration of the 2012 team that won the Champions League against Bayern.

‘I am sure Stamford Bridge will be packed for these good causes.’

Professor David Cunningham, director of clinical research at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust said: ’We are extremely grateful to Chelsea Football Club for organising the Legends of Europe football match and the money raised for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity will help improve the lives of cancer patients at the hospital and worldwide.

‘It was an honour to meet the players, hear about their memories of Gianluca Vialli and show them first-hand how the money raised will can make a difference.’

There is also a message from Gianluca Vialli's family:

On behalf of my family, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board and everyone at Chelsea Football Club for donating some of the proceeds from the Legends Game in September to the Royal Marsden. It is a world-leading specialist cancer hospital and they were instrumental at keeping Luca with us for much longer than expected. We will be eternally grateful to Professor David Cunningham, Dr Kaz Mochlinski and their wonderfully dedicated team.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the players, staff and fans for their continued love and affection towards Luca. I know Chelsea Football Club always held a special place in his heart.

With our deepest gratitude and very best wishes,

Cathryn, Olivia and Sofia Vialli

Tickets for the Legends of Europe match are now on general sale with up to 10 tickets available per person.

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