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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Miguel Delaney

The phantom tournament that has thrown football into chaos

Getty

On the first day Chelsea arrived in Abu Dhabi, the club staff realised that something needed to be made clear to the players.

They sensed that the mood was too close to a pre-season tour. That was somewhat natural since their Ritz Carlton base is so opulent, and allows the players to almost walk from their rooms to the training ground for twice-daily sessions in the warming sun.

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