"Everybody in blue, this is how it should be, no?"
Thomas Tuchel's first words as he headed past the cameras and out onto Cobham's training pitches signal the 48-year-old's readiness to return to action. The German coach returned to Chelsea's training base in Surrey to watch over the Blues' first players to return ahead of the club's pre-season tour of the USA, with his charges having been in action over the weekend.
A group of 14 players including Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ben Chilwell were put through their paces in the gym and out on the pitch as coaches assessed the group's fitness as preparations for 2022/23 began in earnest.
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The Blues boss was recorded embracing his squad members on Monday morning with Hudson-Odoi and Loftus-Cheek getting particular attention. in addition to Harvey Vale, who was with the first team following UEFA U19 Championship success with England on Friday. Tuchel had a few quiet words in the ear of the 18-year-old ahead of the session.
Vale has 12 months remaining on his current contract and seems set to spend some time with the first team this summer as Tuchel assesses a number of Chelsea's younger stars, albeit with most returning from loan. The young winger made five senior appearances under Tuchel during 2021/22, while figures such as Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour will be making a bid to impress the coach following Premier League loans. Fellow development squad star, Charlie Webster, Lewis Hall and Mason Burstow were also among the ranks, following a training camp in Portugal.
Tuchel addressed the group before the session got underway on Monday morning and watched on alongside Arno Michels, who spent Sunday attending Wimbledon with fellow coaches, Zsolt Low and Benjamin Weber.
While the focus may predominantly be on getting players back up to speed, with the squad awaiting the reintroduction of those who have been on international duty, there has also been time for some fun and a customary crossbar challenge. Hakim Ziyech, who enjoyed a stellar pre-season campaign last summer alongside Trevoh Chalobah, wasted little time showing his touch of class again and hitting the bar with the camera capturing it all.
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