Chelsea returned to the training pitches of Cobham on Monday in wintry conditions as they looked to gear up for the game against West Ham this weekend. The Blues have another long period of preparation for the game against the Hammers having played Fulham to a draw on Friday night.
The sides could not find a way past each other as Graham Potter handed a debut to record-signing Enzo Fernandez from the outset, while Noni Madueke became the 31st Chelsea player to feature this season, the most since their 1996/97 campaign.
The west London side were able to move up to ninth thanks to the result but still lacked the cohesion that 47-year-old Potter hopes to find in the coming weeks. Chelsea's boss will hope to take advantage of the next five days to produce an improvement in front of goal and more.
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football.london looks at the few things we could glean from what Chelsea have released from Monday's training.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in training
As Potter confirmed on Friday evening, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang returned to training having been given the weekend off. The Gabon international remains in contention for a first-team place despite having been dropped from Chelsea's Champions League squad and not making the matchday squad for the match with the Cottagers last week.
The Blues boss spoke highly of Aubameyang following the clash against Fulham: "I don't think it's going to be difficult because Pierre is a professional and of course, I understand he will be disappointed. It was a tough decision, a tough call. We had three coming in and two had to go out. He was the one that missed out, he's done nothing wrong at all."
However, the greater test will come now the decision is made rather than in the build-up to it. It remains to be seen if he can work his way into the side in time to face West Ham.
Harsh reality confirmed and Mykhailo Mudryk boost
Another figure absent from Friday's matchday squad was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The midfielder had been selected among Chelsea's substitutes in the side's previous two matches against Liverpool and Crystal Palace and after almost two weeks off had a significant amount of time to continue his build to full fitness.
Loftus-Cheek had been a regular in Chelsea's midfield rotation this season but had to watch on as Fernandez joined Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount in a midfield three while Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante and Denis Zakaria were out injured. With Jorginho having departed for Arsenal, Potter opted not to utilise a traditional central midfield option on the bench, and it appears as if Loftus-Cheek would have been available. It will be no easy task to make the squad moving forwards.
Nevertheless, the Cobham product looked in good spirits heading out onto the playing pitches at Cobham along with Mykhailo Mudryk. Time for the midfielder, who was linked with a move away from the club, to impress.
Enzo fitting in well
Perhaps unsurprisingly the Blues made sure to release plenty of images including Enzo Fernandez who continues to acclimatise to his new club. The World Cup winner put in an impressive debut performance but still requires time to form connections with his teammates as well as to take on board how Potter hopes to play.
The new signing was pictured in a busy boot room and frequently with his smile on his face across the pitches and he familiarises himself with his new surroundings. He was most often pictured in the vicinity of Joao Felix and Mudryk, as Chelsea's newest additions perhaps begin to bond.
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