N’golo Kante and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have been spotted training with the Chelsea first team after they returned from their pre-season tour of the United States.
The pair were unable to travel across the pond due to their vaccination status, seeing them miss out on the first three official friendlies of the season.
The club endured a miserable tour in the end, finishing their trip with a 4-0 defeat at the hands of fierce rivals Arsenal.
However, one positive for Thomas Tuchel was seeing Conor Gallagher prove he can compete as a member of Chelsea’s midfield, taking the opportunities handed to him better than most.
Despite impressing the manager, his minutes could be set to diminish again, as Kante and Loftus-Cheek were seen training with the squad again in a video released on the club’s official Twitter page.
The Frenchman in particular is a key component to any manager’s plans, with his excellence frequently on display despite his mounting injury record.
Kante and Loftus-Cheek seen in training
Their absence from the squad for the majority of their preparations so far could see Tuchel look to utilise Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho as his midfield two for the trip to Everton, with even Gallagher potentially chosen over the two recent joiners.
The German may also be quietly hoping he has a new face to choose from before the season kicks off, with him making it clear he is unhappy with the current transfer activity completed by the club.
Reports from Spain over the last few days have claimed a deal for Frenkie de Jong is in Chelsea’s hands, with Barcelona needing to sell him to fund other signings.
While Manchester United have been linked with the deal throughout the summer, the ability for the Blues to offer Champions League football to the Netherlands international have left him apparently more eager to complete a move to Stamford Bridge than Old Trafford.