Chelsea fans had plenty of good news on Thursday as 18 players reported at Cobham for day one of pre-season training under new head coach Xabi Alonso. The Spanish manager took training at the Blues' Surrey base for the first time, putting his new squad through its paces amid a burning heatwave.
Injury returns and new faces
Three players who finished last season in the treatment room made their returns to the pitch: Estevao, Jamie Gittens and Romeo Lavia all put in hard yards. Estevao had been sidelined with a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the latter stages of the 2025/26 campaign. Two summer signings also featured, with Emmanuel Emegha and Geovany Quenda getting to grips with their new surroundings.
Up-and-coming academy talent Reggie Walsh, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen and Landon Emenalo were also present as they look to catch Alonso's eye. However, there was no Marco Palestra a week after he signed with the club, and Alejandro Garnacho did not report either.
Absentees and departures
Players still representing their nations at the World Cup did not report, nor did those recently eliminated, such as Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Jorrel Hato and Nicolas Jackson. Marc Guiu posted photos to his Instagram page working with a personal trainer in Spain on the same day his teammates joined back up at Cobham. Mykhailo Mudryk did not appear as he remains suspended for a doping violation. Andrey Santos also did not feature; Standard Sport understands he will soon complete a transfer to Manchester United.
Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen was a surprise participant after he tendered a transfer request in May. Other first-team stars uninvolved at the World Cup, including Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and Joao Pedro, duly joined up.
Full list of players present
Every Chelsea player pictured at day one of pre-season training: Wesley Fofana, Geovany Quenda, Levi Colwill, Emanuel Emegha, Liam Delap, Ryan Kavuma-McQueen, Cole Palmer, Reggie Walsh, Landon Emenalo, Josh Acheampong, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Romeo Lavia, Jamie Gittens, Tosin Adarabioyo, Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Dario Essugo.
Chelsea players still at the World Cup: Mike Penders, Malo Gusto, Enzo Fernandez, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah.
