Xabi Alonso will meet his new Chelsea squad for the first time on Thursday as the team returns to pre-season training. The Spanish manager, who signed a four-year deal after leaving Real Madrid in January, is set to take charge of the Blues following a 10th-place finish last season.
However, Alonso will be without at least five players for the start of pre-season, as they are still involved in the latter stages of the World Cup. England defenders Reece James and Trevoh Chalobah are among those unavailable, with James having missed the Three Lions' recent win over Mexico due to injury.
Enzo Fernandez is aiming to win back-to-back World Cups with Argentina, while goalkeeper Mike Penders is part of Belgium's squad and full-back Malo Gusto represents France. Other Chelsea players, including Pedro Neto, Moises Caicedo, Kendry Paez, Nicolas Jackson, Mamadou Sarr, and Jorrel Hato, have already exited the tournament at various stages.
Cole Palmer, who was a notable omission from England's World Cup squad after an injury-hit season, will return for pre-season. The attacking midfielder, who scored for England in the Euro 2024 final, addressed his snub, saying, 'Every player that plays football wants to be at the World Cup, but it's a decision that I cannot change.'
Chelsea's first pre-season friendly is scheduled against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday, July 28, ahead of their Premier League opener at Fulham on Monday, August 24.
