Chelsea are one week into pre-season training and another week away from flying out to the United states for their five-match tour of the country. Wrexham, Fulham, Brighton, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund await for Mauricio Pochettino's first games in charge of the Blues.
While Chelsea have already seen the departures of Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the squad will still need to be cut into shape as Pochettino gets his opportunity to work with new members of the Blues' squad as they return to work. Already the former Spurs coach has spent time with those who were not involved in international duty such as Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah and Raheem Sterling among others.
Pochettino has also been able to cast an eye over young talents such as Alfie Gilchrist and Bashir Humphreys, while Andrey Santos and Malo Gusto trained with the squad for the first time. However, there are still a number of players for the new boss to judge, whether that be those who have played with the first team, have spent time on loan or just signed with the club. There will still be a lot to resolve in the next seven days.
With all indications being Chelsea want to carry a smaller squad moving forwards, there is likely to be some tough conversations and decisions before the squad fly to the United States. The Blues want to avoid the mistakes of last summer, and those without a future appear unlikely to make the trip - Callum Hudson-Odoi is yet to be pictured in first team training for example.
However, there will be opportunity as Pochettino plans to talk to Romelu Lukaku, who is currently expected to join the squad in the coming week if there are no transfer developments. Noni Madueke and Levi Colwill, who have just lifted the under-21 European Championship trophy, have already heard from the Blues' boss but will have some time off before joining the squad.
Their exploits in Georgia ensure their return is delayed but it appears Pochettino already intends to work with them in the United States. He explained: ”We're waiting for them to be with the team, I think the day we will fly to America, they will join us”.
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So two spots in the training camp already appear to be allotted, despite the uncertainty around Colwill's future amid the club's not for sale stance. Though in his England celebrations, Madueke was keen to point out he would ensure Colwill returns to west London.
Pochettino spoke on what is to come from Colwill. He said: ”He is a Chelsea player and in the last few months [on loan] at Brighton he was playing really well. He is one of our players and I need to talk with him when he arrives next week.
”I need to hear what he has in his mind. What he expects. And then, of course, for him to listen to what I expect from him.”
The conversation should come quickly, with Pochettino describing the appearances of players in his office as one the first things to occur upon their return to Cobha,. Perhaps his chat will Colwill could be the flight out.
