Chelsea stars missed the heatwave hitting the UK but were met by high temperatures as they stepped up their pre-season preparations with a trip to the United States.
The Blues are on a training camp in Los Angeles as Thomas Tuchel starts to plan his tactics for the 2022/23 season, which starts in earnest with a trip to Everton in the Premier League on August 6.
Chelsea will train for the rest of the week before a friendly against Club America on Sunday, followed by another fixture against Charlotte FC next week, and then a match against Arsenal in the Florida Cup.
Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ross Barkley and the rest of the Chelsea squad certainly looked ready for action as they worked out under Tuchel's watch as temperatures hit the 80s at Drake Stadium in Los Angeles.
Defender Ben Chilwell was with them and he said he is determined to nail down a starting spot in the England side for the World Cup in Qatar following a “difficult” time in his career.
Chilwell was selected in Gareth Southgate's squad for the European Championship last year but did not make a single appearance in their run to the final, where they lost to Italy.
He then struggled for game time at Chelsea and was largely overlooked in August and September before scoring three goals in three games in October, as well as a World Cup qualifying goal for England.
However, he picked up an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November which sidelined him until a substitute appearance in Chelsea's last league game of the season in May.
Chelsea 2021/22 season ratings
-
CHELSEA END OF SEASON RATINGS: (Manager) Thomas Tuchel: 9. A Premier League title challenge may have faded amid the relentless pace of Manchester City and Liverpool but third place, the Fifa Club World Cup, and reaching both domestic finals represent a fine campaign. Even more so when he had to operate under government-imposed sanctions, and he led the club during a period of uncertainty with poise and dignity. EPA -
(Goalkeepers) Edouard Mendy: 8. Another strong season for the Senegalese. There was a spell midway through the season where Mendy was unbeatable, and while he was guilty of some costly mistakes, most notably against Real Madrid, he is a key player for Chelsea. Getty -
Kepa Arrizabalaga: 7. Had his best season yet for Chelsea, deputising effectively while Mendy was on Afcon duty and impressing in the cups, while the Spaniard was superb in the Club World Cup semi-final. But - and it's a rather big but - his League Cup final cameo was disastrous; coming on for the shootout, Kepa didn't get anywhere near Liverpool's penalties before blazing his effort out of the stadium. PA -
(Defenders) Antonio Rudiger: 9. Chelsea's player of the season, the German defender was superb throughout, leading from the back with rock solid defensive displays and contributing with some goals. Gut-wrenching for Chelsea fans that he's leaving. Getty -
Andreas Christensen: 6. Challenged by Tuchel at the end of the 2020/21 season to stake his claim in the first team but it was another year as a squad player, although played most of Chelsea's Champions League campaign. Had a decent enough season but his form faded after he had clearly decided to leave, and made himself unavailable for the FA Cup final. Getty -
Trevoh Chalobah: 7. Had a dream goalscoring Premier League debut and maintained that strong form during the early part of the season. Performances dipped towards the back end of the campaign but the Academy graduate looks set for a big future in the first team. EPA -
Malang Sarr: 6. After spending last season on loan at Porto, got his chance in the Chelsea setup after the long-term injury to Ben Chilwell. Largely dependable at left centre-back and wing-back without being spectacular, although had a horror show against Luton in the FA Cup. Getty -
Thiago Silva: 8. What's left to say about the ageless Brazilian? Another year older but still as classy as defenders come, the 37-year-old shows no signs of slowing down. Given the impending upheaval to Chelsea's defence this summer, the club will be delighted Silva is staying for another season. Getty -
Marcos Alonso: 7. Still defensively suspect when targeted one-on-one by opposition wingers but remained an attacking threat down Chelsea's left flank. Probably played more games than expected following Chilwell's injury and, overall, had a good season. Reuters -
Ben Chilwell: 7. Superb for the first three months until a cruciate ligament injury curtailed his season. Once he returns to fitness, the England international will be a major player for Chelsea. EPA -
Reece James: 9. How Chelsea missed the England defender during his various injury absences. Often Chelsea's most effective attacking player when at wing-back and solid when deployed in a back three, James was consistently excellent, contributing six goals and 10 assists. Getty -
Cesar Azpilicueta: 6. Earned plenty of praise for deflecting attention away from Kai Havertz prior to the German's Club World Cup-winning penalty. But it was generally a season of decline from the captain. Azpilicueta has started to look leggy and was guilty of several individual errors. If he stays, his leadership remains important but his game time will surely decrease next season. PA -
(Midfielders) N'Golo Kante: 7. After five exemplary seasons in Chelsea blue, this was the first where Kante was below his brilliant best. Injuries were the key factor and he was a less imposing figure in midfield, particularly during the second half of the season. Still a key player for Tuchel, though. EPA -
Jorginho: 7. Did what he does by helping Chelsea retain possession and control midfields but too often the tempo was too slow when the Italian was on the pitch and dictating play. Played well in the FA Cup final, to be fair, but as he enters the final year of his contact, Tuchel will need to decide whether he renews and stays or it's time to move on. AFP -
Mateo Kovacic: 8. Once again Chelsea's standout central midfielder and he was sorely missed during a six-week injury and Covid absence. The Croatian provides so much all-round quality to the Blues midfield. Scored their goal of the season, too, with a stunner against Liverpool. EPA -
Saul Niguez: 3. Arrived on a season-long loan from Atletico Madrid with the intention of adding a new dimension to the Chelsea midfield with his pace, skill, and eye for goal. Instead, Saul barely featured after clearly struggling to adapt to the pace of English football. It's a shame because there's no doubt he's a major talent. Reuters -
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: 7. Climbed the midfield pecking order this season and rewarded Tuchel with some fine performances, mixed in with some frustratingly quiet displays. There is a nagging sense that there's still much more to come. Reuters -
Ross Barkley: 5. Limited to six league appearances and 14 in all competitions, making just four starts, Barkley is nowhere near Tuchel's plans and will likely be heading for the exit this summer. His last contribution looks set to be the final day winner against Watford. Getty -
Mason Mount: 9. A player who will always have his detractors, despite a mountain of evidence to support his quality. The England midfielder was Chelsea's best and most consistent attacking threat this season, contributing to 29 goals (13 scored, 16 assisted) across all competitions. One of the first tasks for the new owners should be to tie Mount down to a big, fat long-term contract. PA -
(Forwards) Kai Havertz: 7. Another major final winner from the German, this time at the Club World Cup, and he has definitely found a higher and more consistent level than his stop-start debut season. Still, for all his talent, there were a few too many anonymous displays. A top player, though. Getty -
Hakim Ziyech: 6. Either the best player on the pitch or a ghost, it was a frustratingly inconsistent season from the Moroccan winger. There was a spell at the start of the year when he scored three games in a row and it appeared the code had been cracked, but he was unable to maintain the form for the rest of the season. Getty -
Christian Pulisic: 5. An ankle injury at the start of the season seemed to kill the momentum he built from his superb end to the previous campaign, and the American never really got going. Popped up with some important goals but his contribution was below-par for a player who should have a key attacking role. Getty -
Callum Hudson-Odoi: 6. Contributed in parts during the first half of the campaign before an achilles injury ended his season early. Still only 21 and has a lot more to offer in the years to come but will need a run in the first team when he returns to fitness. AFP -
Romelu Lukaku: 4. The 'final piece of the jigsaw' felt more like square peg, round hole for most of the season. Lukaku looked like he would run riot on his return to Chelsea after a strong start but a goal drought, followed by injury, followed by an explosive interview saw the Belgian spend more time on the bench than on the pitch. Scored twice in two games to help Chelsea win the Club World Cup, and found some form at the end of the campaign to suggest his best can be rediscovered - if he's still there after the summer. AFP -
Timo Werner: 6. The German is a firm fan favourite for his committed displays, and his pace and direct running continued to cause opposition defences problems. Still not enough end product, though, and the goalscoring problems have continued. PA
“I've dreamt of playing in a World Cup since I can remember and to know it's just around the corner is more motivation than you can know to try and seal that spot down,” Chilwell said.
“Not just for myself but for my family – especially after the Euros in what was a difficult time for me. Over the next three or four months I'm just going to do everything that I can to try and make sure that is my spot.”
In the gallery above, you can see images from Chelsea training in California. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if you're using a mobile device, simply swipe.
