£26m Chelsea man was the fittest player at the club’s first pre-season training session

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Excitement is beginning to build again around club football as a number of Chelsea players make their return to Cobham ahead of the new season.

Enzo Maresca was in charge of his first pre-season session yesterday, with a video emerging of him already looking to get his principles across to his new players.

There were a number of interesting faces seen involved, with a returning Wesley Fofana one of the players who was seen involved.

As is usually the way at the start of pre-season, fitness was on the menu for the Blues as they look to get themselves in the best possible shape for the start of the Premier League season.

A video on the club’s TikTok saw them taking part in the bleep test, a well-renowned test of fitness for the players.

Malo Gusto fittest Chelsea player in pre-season

After a fierce battle, Frenchman Malo Gusto came out on top against his teammates.

Following his £26m move from Lyon, the defender was arguably one of the best performers at Stamford Bridge last season.

In a campaign where club-captain Reece James was hit badly by injuries again, the young full-back’s presence made them not end up missing him too much.

While Cole Palmer took all the acclaim for his incredible individual season, he revealed off the back of his double-award winning night that he had voted for Gusto to win the player’s player of the season trophy.

The Frenchman will certainly feature at the beginning of next season after it became clear that James would not be available following his red card late last season.

A strong opening to the season can create a real rivalry for one position on the pitch under Maresca’s reign, with neither feeling as if they should be sitting on the bench after the ability they have shown when they are fit.