Joseph Schooling shares his Blues passion in interview with Chelsea

English Premier League champions Chelsea featured Singapore swimming star Joseph Schooling on its website. -- PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM WWW.CHELSEAFC.COM
English Premier League champions Chelsea featured Singapore swimming star Joseph Schooling on its website. -- PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM WWW.CHELSEAFC.COM

SINGAPORE - He has eight gold medals to his name at the 2015 SEA Games and a loyal following of fans that clamour for his autograph - and now even English Premier League (EPL) football club Chelsea have taken notice.

In an online interview released on Chelsea's website on Thursday morning, Schooling spoke about his passion for the newly-crowned EPL champions.

The 19-year-old revealed that he has been a fan of the London-based outfit since nine, citing manager Jose Mourinho's charisma as a big draw.

His current favourite player? Skilful Belgium winger Eden Hazard, the reigning Player of the Year, for his "amazing ball skills".

Schooling also said it was his dream to watch a Chelsea game live at Stamford Bridge.

And for all his amazing exploits in the water, the US-based University of Texas swimmer said he was a klutz at land games.

On Wednesday night, Schooling collected his seventh and eighth golds in the 50m butterfly and 200m individual medley.

He will be aiming to make it a perfect nine out of nine events on the final day of the swimming competition tonight, in the 4x100m medley relay.

Read the full interview here.

mklee@sph.com.sg

SEA Games 2015: Get more updates, photos and videos

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.