Qatar SC · Arab Club Champions Cup · Attacker · #9 · Brazil · 32 yrs
Thursday marked Xabi Alonso's first day at Chelsea's Cobham training ground as the new Blues manager. Alonso signed in and met members of the squad not currently on World Cup duty or on holiday following an exit from the tournament. Players reporting for duty included Robert Sanchez, Levi Colwill, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, who brought in his new branded range of ice cubes.
It has not been a particularly memorable World Cup for Chelsea's players in terms of either involvement or performances, but it does mean new manager Xabi Alonso will have a larger group available for most of pre-season. Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and more than 10 other Chelsea players were not selected by their national teams following the club's disappointing campaign last season. Ten Blues players did receive World Cup call-ups, although only five have featured for their countries so far.
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