Chelsea players are beginning to filter back in to the club as they prepare for the upcoming pre-season campaign.

New manager Enzo Maresca will be leading his side on another tour of the United States, and will be hoping for a similar start to life that Mauricio Pochettino enjoyed this time last year.

The Argentine was sacked after just one season at the club, despite leading the club to a place in Europe next season.

He also had to deal with a plethora of injury problems to many key first team players.

One of those who was affected the worst was Wesley Fofana, who suffered a serious knee injury that left him unable to feature at all last season.

Wesley Fofana reports to pre-season early
However, journalist Kieran Gill has claimed that the Frenchman has already returned to Cobham ahead of pre-season, with Romeo Lavia another who is ready to go.

He said: “Told Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia have put themselves in a position to be integrated back into training after both reported early for Chelsea pre-season.

“Fofana not played since May 2023, Lavia since December 2023. Chelsea first-teamers not involved internationally due back Monday.”

Defence is one position that is going to undergo some serious changes this summer following the departure of Thiago Silva after four seasons at the club.

While Tosin Adarabioyo has already joined on a free transfer, it feels as if the opportunity really is there for Fofana to establish himself as part of the starting backline at Stamford Bridge.

He is likely to feature alongside Levi Colwill if this is the case, with the Englishman seeming to be one of the few players who are seen as untouchable in the transfer market right now.

The likes of Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi will also be looking to show that they should be in the plans of the club going forwards after hardly setting the world alight since their signings.