Chelsea’s Early Preseason Begins with Adarabioyo’s Arrival at Cobham

Ahead of the official start of Chelsea’s preseason next week, some players have already returned to Cobham for early fitness preparations.

BBC’s Nizaar Kinsella reported that defender Tosin Adarabioyo, Chelsea’s first summer signing on a free transfer from Fulham, was among the players back at the training ground:

“Defender Tosin Adarabioyo was among the players to arrive back a week early for pre-season training at Chelsea,” Kinsella noted. “The formal start date is 8 July but he joined the likes of Ben Chilwell and Trevoh Chalobah at the club’s Cobham training base.”

While players still involved in Euro 2024 and the Copa America will return later, those present are already getting a head start, highlighting a significant gap in preparation between early and late returnees.

Enzo Maresca’s Quiet Introduction

Kinsella also touched on new manager Enzo Maresca’s initial days:

“New boss Enzo Maresca also started work on Monday but the sessions are believed to be informal fitness work as he settles into the new job.”

Maresca has been acclimatizing at Cobham, though without players until now, marking the start of his active involvement in training sessions.

A Shift in Media Strategy?

Chelsea’s approach to introducing Maresca has been notably understated compared to previous managerial transitions, prompting curiosity about their media strategy. Unlike Mauricio Pochettino’s era, which was extensively covered, there have been no major interviews or documentaries about Maresca.

Is this a deliberate shift in approach? It remains unclear, but with Maresca now engaged with his squad on the pitch, more media content is anticipated as the preseason progresses.