The Chelsea squad has commenced its pre-season training at Cobham, marking the first official sessions under the new manager, Xabi Alonso. Players who were not involved in the World Cup have returned to the club’s training base to begin preparations for the upcoming season. This initial phase of training allows Alonso to integrate with the team before their pre-season tour.
Xabi Alonso officially started his role as Blues boss at the beginning of the month, with the practical work now underway. The training sessions are taking place at the club’s headquarters in Surrey. The manager will have the opportunity to work with players not representing their countries at the World Cup before the team travels to Sydney for the first part of their pre-season tour later in the month.
Squad members present at Cobham
Among the players pictured at Cobham for the initial training sessions were several key figures and new additions. Cole Palmer, João Pedro, and Estêvão Willian were noted as being present, working with the new manager from the outset. This early interaction is anticipated to be beneficial for their integration into Alonso’s system for the season ahead.
Estêvão Willian‘s presence is particularly significant, as the Brazilian winger missed his country’s participation at the World Cup due to a hamstring injury. His return to training at the club’s base signals an important injury boost for Alonso and the team as they embark on a new era. Club sources indicate that João Pedro, Cole Palmer, Josh Acheampong, and Levi Colwill are considered integral to the club’s long-term vision at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Other players who reported for training included Liam Delap, whose future with the club is less certain, but he was seen at Cobham. Robert Sanchez, Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia were also part of Alonso’s first session. New signing Emmanuel Emegha, who joined from sister club Strasbourg, was pictured participating in training for the first time.
Additionally, fresh faces like Geovany Quenda, whose signing was recently announced, were present. Striker Emmanuel Emegha was also at the training ground. Young talent Dastan Satpaev, who is not yet 18, was granted special permission by FC Kairat to train with the squad, indicating a focus on integrating promising players early.
Manager’s first press conference and upcoming tour
While Xabi Alonso has begun his work on the training pitch, his first news conference as Chelsea manager has not yet been scheduled. It is anticipated that Chelsea will hold an ‘unveiling’ event in London, likely at Stamford Bridge, before the team departs for its pre-season tour. The tour will include destinations in Australia and several Asian countries.
The timing of the press conference is expected to be after Alonso has had several training sessions and sufficient time to settle into his new role. He is also expected to speak more extensively to the media during the overseas tour. The first match for Chelsea under Alonso is scheduled for July 28, when the Blues will face Western Sydney Wanderers FC.
The early return of players not involved in the World Cup allows for a focused start to the pre-season. The opportunity for players like Cole Palmer, João Pedro, and Estêvão to work with the new manager from day one is seen as a positive step for the season ahead. The players also benefited from rare weeks off from football, which could help them channel their energy into strong performances for Chelsea.
The training sessions at Cobham represent the initial phase of Xabi Alonso‘s tenure, with a strong emphasis on preparing the squad for the upcoming season and integrating new and returning players into his system before the team’s pre-season tour to Australia and Asia, which includes a match against Western Sydney Wanderers FC on July 28.
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Source: weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com
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Joel Kavanagh is a Sports News Writer at News-GB. He started on a Midlands sports desk. He focuses on rugby union, golf and boxing and is known for clear, deadline-driven reporting. He holds a degree in Journalism from De Montfort University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Now based in Leicester, he plays amateur rugby and follows the fight calendar. “In sport news, the first ten minutes decide everything.”