Chelsea players will return to Cobham for pre-season training in early August, as they gear up for another demanding Premier League season. Head coach Enzo Maresca granted his squad three weeks off following their Club World Cup triumph over Paris Saint-Germain on July 13 in the United States.
Maresca’s debut season ended on a high with Chelsea securing Champions League qualification and lifting the UEFA Conference League. The momentum will now shift towards preparation for the 2025/26 campaign, which kicks off at Stamford Bridge against Crystal Palace on August 17.
Also read: Chelsea’s 2025/26 Pre-Season Schedule: A Quick Turnaround After Historic Campaign
Before the season opener, Chelsea will host two high-profile friendlies at Stamford Bridge during the “VisitMalta Weekender,” welcoming Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan between August 8 and 10. These matches will offer fans the first look at new signings Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo, and Estevao Willian in home colours.
The new arrivals, many of whom joined the squad during their U.S. tour, will continue settling in at Cobham when training resumes. Chelsea are also active in the transfer market, targeting Dutch duo Jorrel Hato from Ajax and Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.
Meanwhile, player exits are expected to continue. Noni Madueke and Djordje Petrovic have already departed, while Axel Disasi, Joao Felix, and Christopher Nkunku are reportedly on their way out.
With Maresca building on last season’s success, Chelsea aim to hit the ground running in August—both on and off the pitch.
