Baseball star Pete Alonso has revealed his love for Chelsea and legend Dider Drogba ahead of his first ever trip to London this summer.
The New York Mets slugger is heading to the UK for the MLB World Tour: London Series as his team takes on old rivals Philadelphia Phillies on June 8 and 9.
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It will be the third time America’s pastime is brought to the English capital as part of the London Series, which sees one of MLB’s historic rivalries break new ground on British soil.
New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox were the first duo to play at West Ham’s London Stadium - which undergoes an epic transformation to turn it from football ground into world-class ballpark - in 2019, before Chicago Cubs and St Louis Cardinals returned in 2023.
But this will be Alonso’s first visit to London, and he’s already looking forward to exploring the famous city with his teammates and family.
And he’s particularly interested in one building in particular - and it’s probably not what you’re thinking.
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Speaking to talkSPORT at Spring Training ahead of the MLB Opening Day on Thursday, Alonso said: “I’m really excited for London. I’m really stoked. I have never been and I’m just really excited to see what the city has to offer.
“Chelsea is my favourite football club. Didier Drogba is my favourite player and my favourite performance of his was against Bayern Munich in the Champions League game. The dude is an absolute savage. He’s one of my all-time favourites.
“I’d love to go to Stamford Bridge while we’re there. That would be one of those bucket list things for me.”
He’s also excited to visit another of the capital’s fine establishments - the Great British pub.
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“I’d also see Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower Bridge,” he continued. “I’d love to walk around Soho, try a proper Sunday roast, fish and chips, and hopefully you guys have a proper pint over there… after the game, not before!
“I’m really excited, there are a lot of things I’m excited about but I’m also looking to explore some different cultural things about London that we don’t get over here in the States.”
MLB release exciting footage as they go inside the dressing rooms at West Ham's London Stadium to preview their UK series in June
And it appears he might have to take his boss with him, as new Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is also a fellow surprise Blue.
The former Yankees coach, who joined the revamped Mets staff this off-season, told talkSPORT: “I used to follow soccer a lot, the Premier League. My team is Chelsea… sorry!
“I was a big Real Madrid and Chelsea fan. I used to watch soccer a lot, but then, you know, over the past eight years I haven’t been able to find the time - too busy!”
Why Chelsea? Mendoza had the exact same answer as his star player: “Drogba. It was those years - the good years.
“I’ve never been to their stadium but it would be pretty cool to get an opportunity to go there. Maybe do a tour or something. When I went with the Yankees [Mendoza was part of the Yankees set up for the first London Series in 2019] I wanted to do it, but we didn’t have time. So this time, we’ll see!”
But, really, why Chelsea? There are plenty of links between the beautiful game and American sports that would help any Statesman make a sound choice when looking for a team to follow.
Liverpool and Boston Red Sox [FSG], Arsenal and LA Rams [Stan Kroenke], Manchester United and Tampa Bay Buccaneers [Glazers], Fulham and Jacksonville Jaguars [Shahid Khan], Aston Villa and Milwaukee Bucks [Wes Edens].
What is a man born in Tampa, Florida and playing in New York doing backing a team now owned by Todd Boehly, who is also owner of the Mets’ National League rivals LA Dodgers?
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“It started in the World Cup watching Didier Drogba play for the Ivory Coast,” explained Alonso, who returns to his home state every year for Spring Training with the Mets at their Port St Lucie training base.
“Chelsea was his club then and seeing him play, the dude is a very physical player. He’s also a guy that plays with power and grace and it’s very interesting. He plays football like an American free safety.
“It’s really funny how passionate he is, how graceful he is but also how aggressive in his game play. It was really cool to watch when he was in his prime.”
Alonso was an avid watcher of the Premier League back in the day, but admits - like his coach - his interest has been more of a casual one since his step up to the big leagues.
“I used to watch a lot more,” he said.
“I haven’t as much because it’s mostly on Saturdays at 9/10am over here. That’s game day for me so I’m not paying attention as much as I’d like to.”
Spring Training means Alonso has lived just up the Florida coast from Inter Miami for the best part of the last two months - has he managed to see Lionel Messi play in the flesh?
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“No, not yet, but it will be cool to see him play in person,” he said.
“I know he’s a little bit older now but I’m sure watching that guy play in person is like watching a wizard. This past World Cup was electric. I’m happy for him, especially seeing one of the great ones do it like that was really special.
“I love the game of football, it’s a really special game. What those guys can do is insane.
“I caught the bug in 2006 that World Cup, that inspired me to play a couple seasons of soccer.”
Was he any good?
“Nope,” he laughed, adding: “But it’s a great sport and, thankfully, I’m good at baseball!”
He’s not wrong - Alonso is one of the top hitters in baseball right now.
A former Rookie of the Year, winner of back-to-back Home Run Derbies and with a record of 192 home runs scored in his first five seasons as a Met.
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The New York franchise had a tough year in 2023 as their roster was hit with multiple injuries and they failed to make it to post-season, and Alonso says he and the team are determined to put things right with Mendoza now in charge.
“I’m really excited to get the regular-season going, I’m really, really excited,” he said. “It’s been a really great camp and it’s been awesome working with him [Mendoza]. He has set a really good high standard so it’s really exciting.
“My goals this season? Personally just to be the best I can be every single day, anytime we play. Just impact the game as much as I can in a positive manner. Perform and be a good teammate.
“I just want to be the best I can every single day, capitalising on opportunities and being sharp as consistently as I can be over the course of 162 games.
“And I’m excited to play overseas. Baseball truly is a world sport. Now that we’re branching over in Europe, it’s an exciting opportunity and I’m really excited to see the layout.
“I was so crossing my fingers because I thought it was going to be at Wembley. It would have been really cool to play there. But London Stadium, I’m really excited to see it. I mean this whole event is so cool and I’m really happy to be a part of it.
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“It’s going to be really exciting to see baseball fans in the UK. I’m really excited and there’s a lot to look forward to. It’s a once in a lifetime experience and I just want to soak it all in the best I can and enjoy the city while I’m over there.”
New York Mets will play Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB World Tour: London Series 2024, June 8-9 at London Stadium. Tickets on sale now at https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/MLB