Enzo Maresca and his coaching staff faced a unique task when his players returned to Chelsea training for their pre-season campaign.
Following on from the Blues’ triumph in the Club World Cup, they were afforded just a couple of weeks to rest before getting back to action.
Chelsea hosted two friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan, being very successful in both. Chelsea fans were impressed by Estevao Willian after he made his first appearances for his new club.
Joao Pedro and Liam Delap kept up their fight for a start in the number nine position with two goals each in pre-season, leaving the manager with a big decision to make ahead of the first game of the season.
Chelsea Training Session And Press Conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea players delighted at lack of fitness work during pre-season
With a tough opening fixture against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, Maresca needed to make sure he made the most of the limited time his players had on the training ground before their game.
It seems that the Italian decided to go against the normality of fitness work, instead trusting his players had not let themselves go in the two weeks they were away.
According to the Mail Online, the Blues instead treated their time before the first game as if it was normal training circumstances, something which the report states was very well received by the players.
They have now got their full attention on the first game of the campaign, although have been hit with some major injury blows already since returning.
Chelsea Training Session And Press Conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
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Chelsea’s defensive injury crisis
Levi Colwill is set to miss the majority of the season after picking up a serious knee injury in the first training session back.
The issue has led to Maresca wanting a new centre-back, although the club are yet to act on this request from the manager.
It remains to be seen if they now will after news that Tosin Adarabioyo will miss the game due to a small injury, although it is not expected to be a long-term issue.
Wesley Fofana is also in a race against time to be fit, meaning the only fit options for Chelsea could be Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong.