Mauricio Pochettino is yet to begin work at Chelsea but already bodies will be heading back to Cobham ahead of preparations for a new season. The Blues development and academy squads will be among the first players to return with arrivals staggered depending on international involvement, with the first members of the senior squad expected back in the opening days of July.
With Chelsea's rate of progress in the transfer market it is difficult to anticipate who will be present for Pochettino's first training session, never mind on the plane for the trip to the United States. Those involved in the Nations League and Euro 2024 qualifying are likely to have more time off, while Chelsea's stars who ended the season recovering from injury will be chomping at the bit to return to action to help the Blues to an improved season.
The early days of pre-season are set to include some intense fitness sessions but players will be keen to leave a good first impression on their new boss and to ensure they earn a seat on the plane to continue their role in Chelsea's preparations. Pochettino may be less open to including those with futures that lie away from the club due to his preference for a smaller squad.
football.london takes a look at some of the players who may look to take advantage to press their claim onto the former Spurs coach.
Marc Cucurella - The defender will feel he has a lot to prove to anyone but as he has not had any international duties to disrupt his break, he will hope to come back and hit the ground running. Given the emergence of Lewis Hall towards the end of last season and Ben Chilwell's expect return, Cucurella will have his work cut out to compete on the left.
The 24-year-old has more to offer than what he showed last term but his versatility to play on the left side of a back three may be less of a bonus than it once was with both Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill capable of playing in the position, and Pochettino's preference being for a back four.
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Carney Chukwuemeka - Having arrived for £20million last summer and being quickly thrust into Chelsea's first-team squad, Chuwkeuemeka played just 345 minutes last term. The Blues are considering a loan deal for the former Aston Villa youngster but with Chelsea seeing departures in the centre of midfield and forward positions, and the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke involved in the under-21 European Championships, perhaps there is a position that the 19-year-old can claim in the early days of pre-season.
Andrey Santos - With Enzo Fernandez the only certainty in the centre of midfield, Santos may find himself with the ideal opportunity to impress Pochettino. The Brazilian international is on his way back from injury following the under-20 World Cup and is back in Vasco da Gama training. The youngster could have a bit of a headstart on his teammates in terms of fitness, and unless Chelsea sign Moises Caicedo and others, there will be opportunities in midfield should Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek depart in addition to N'Golo Kante.
Armando Broja and David Datro Fofana - The striking duo will find themselves in a similar situation of looking to earn a place in Pochettino's plans in the early days of pre-season. Broja is joining the development squad's training plans as he returns from the injury that kept him out of action for half of the season. With Nicolas Jackson the only forward set to sign for the moment, the duo may fancy their chances of competing for a place leading the line in Pochettino's squad.
Harvey Vale and Omari Hutchinson - While the development squad standouts may have intentions of heading out on loan to earn first-team football, the duo may have an opportunity to spend some time with the first team in the early parts of pre-season.
Mudryk and Madueke will be late making their return from international duty, while Christian Pulisic could yet depart Stamford Bridge. That could leave some room on Chelsea's wings as Pochettino attempts to convey his plans, leaving an intriguing opportunity for the youngsters. At the very least it, it could provide a solid boost heading into a temporary move away from the club, and possibly leave an imprint on Pochettino's mind for the future.
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