Chelsea returned to their Cobham training base for their first day of pre-season training. The Blues went through their paces before they jet off to China next Monday for their three-game pre-season tour.
Antonio Conte was also present at the training ground and trained with the first team for a while.
📸 As the players return to training today, here's a picture special from pre-season training in years gone by… https://t.co/ca81H38Qp3
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 10, 2017
New signing Antonio Rudiger was not present with the squad as Conte has provided him with a few extra days of holiday so that he can recover from the Confederations Cup win.
Eden Hazard was present at the training ground but did not involve himself in the normal routine with his team-mates. He trained away from the group as he continues his recovery from a broken ankle.
Another major absentee was Diego Costa. Costa has been told that he is no longer required at the club and can leave in the summer. So Conte has decided to give him an extended break while he hunts for a club next season. The Spaniard was tipped to return back to his old club Atletico Madrid, but the deal has gotten complicated over the last month of so owing to the transfer embargo on Diego Simeone’s side.
Chelsea kick off their three-match pre-season tour on the 22nd of July as they face London rivals Arsenal in Beijing.
Photo by Ben Sutherland 
