Chelsea Players Return to Cobham as Enzo Maresca Begins New Era
Chelsea players have started to return to Cobham, marking the beginning of preparations for the new domestic season.
New manager Enzo Maresca had his first opportunity to observe his squad as he embarks on his debut campaign as a Premier League manager.
Maresca’s First Training Session
The initial day of training focused primarily on fitness work, but a video from the session shows Maresca already beginning to impart his philosophies to the players.
The session featured a mix of senior first-team stars and promising youngsters, as well as several players who spent large parts of last season sidelined due to injury.
Wesley Fofana’s Return
One of the most notable returns was that of Wesley Fofana. The French defender missed the entire season during Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure due to injury.
However, the club’s website shared images of Fofana training with his teammates, signaling his return to fitness.
Former manager Brendan Rodgers previously described Fofana as ‘phenomenal,’ and there is hope that a fit Fofana can significantly bolster Chelsea’s defense.
Fans are eager to see him potentially form a formidable center-back partnership with Levi Colwill.
Levi Colwill’s Position
Colwill also struggled with injuries in the latter half of last season and played limited minutes, often out of position at left-back under Pochettino. Reports suggest that Maresca views Colwill’s future firmly as a central defender, aligning with the preferences of many supporters.
New Addition: Tosin Adarabioyo
Colwill and Fofana will be competing for minutes with Tosin Adarabioyo, who has joined Chelsea on a free transfer. Adarabioyo’s addition adds depth and competition to the center-back position, providing Maresca with more options as he builds his squad.
Looking Ahead
As pre-season progresses, Maresca will continue to refine his tactics and evaluate his players, aiming to build a cohesive and competitive team. With key players returning to fitness and new additions joining the squad, Chelsea fans have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season.
Chelsea players are over a week into pre-season training under new manager Enzo Maresca at Cobham, gearing up for a tour of the United States. Maresca is focused on instilling his philosophy early on, working closely with both established stars and players who had limited involvement last season.
Among those spotted training are Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku, while captain Wesley Fofana has also been present. Fofana, who missed all of last season due to a serious knee injury, was seen with strapping on his knee during gym sessions, raising some concerns among fans. Supporters are eager to see him return to form, having previously been described as ‘phenomenal’ by Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City.
Fofana’s potential partnership with Levi Colwill is generating excitement, especially as Colwill is expected to play in his preferred centre-back role this season. After being utilized in a left-back position under Mauricio Pochettino, Colwill is ready to showcase his skills at the heart of Chelsea’s defense under Maresca’s management.
Chelsea Players Return to Cobham as Enzo Maresca Begins New Era
