Chelsea are preparing to face Crawley Town and Bromley in back-to-back behind-closed-doors friendlies over the next eleven days of pre-season preparation.
New manager Xabi Alonso is using the fixtures to build a clearer picture of the squad he has inherited since taking charge at the club’s Cobham training base.
The Blues will take on Crawley Town on Saturday before welcoming Bromley the following Thursday as Alonso continues his early assessment work.
The Spanish coach has been putting his players through intensive sessions at Cobham since beginning work at the club last week, with the squad responding well to their new environment.
Chelsea are scheduled to fly to Australia next week for the opening leg of their pre-season tour, making these domestic friendlies a valuable warm-up opportunity.
Alonso is keen to give his players meaningful game time and competitive experience before they embark on the long-haul journey to the other side of the world.
Four new signings have already been training alongside their teammates in Surrey, with Emmanuel Emegha, Geovany Quenda, Dastan Satpayev and Marco Palestra all working on the grass at Cobham.
A number of first-team regulars not currently involved in the World Cup have also been putting in the work, including Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Romeo Lavia, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Joao Pedro, Tosin Adarabioyo, Estevao Willian, Dario Essugo and Josh Acheampong.
Aaron Anselmino, who is expected to be sent out on loan again ahead of the upcoming season, has continued to train alongside his Chelsea teammates at Cobham in the meantime.
Academy talents Reggie Watson, Tayo Subuloye, Landon Emenalo, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Reggie Walsh and Calvin Diakite have also been handed the chance to impress the new manager during pre-season sessions.
Those younger players will be eager to feature against Crawley Town and Bromley, hoping to stake a claim in front of Alonso in a competitive setting before the tour squad is finalised.
The friendlies represent an important opening chapter in Alonso’s Chelsea tenure, giving him first-hand knowledge of his options ahead of what promises to be a defining pre-season campaign.
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