Blues fast sprint: two warm-up matches in four days, Chelsea prepares for the ultimate challenge of the new season

July 26, according to London Football Network, the entire Chelsea team will return to the Cobham training base on August 4 (next Monday) to start pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 season. Since defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the reorganized Club World Cup final on July 13, the Blues' holiday is much longer than that of the Premier League's top players, and the pace of preparation is obviously behind. By then, Brazilian young player Estewan, who has joined this summer, will also practice with his teammates for the first time. The time left for them to adjust their state is extremely limited: Stamford Bridge vs. Leverkusen on August 8, and AC Milan again on August 10. Maresca has only two warm-up matches to get into the lineup, and will welcome the home match with Crystal Palace on August 17. The ultimate rhythm of "preparing for two warm-ups in four days and hitting the official game in two weeks" will test the Blues' physical reserves and tactical execution.