Nigeria’s duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses are expected to return to Chelsea ahead of the new season on July 8 as the West London Club has granted the players additional rest days.
The idea was aimed at allowing the players take some rest after some of them took part in the Confederations Cup in Brazil and other matches played by the club when the 2012/13 season ended.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has already won over his new Chelsea squad by giving them more time off.
Before Mourinho’s arrival, Chelsea were due to fall in line with the rest of the Premier League and start pre-season training on Wednesday.
But one of the new manager’s first acts was to push the players’ start date to July 8.
Chelsea played a punishing 69-game campaign and flew straight to the United States of America to take part in two post-season matches against Manchester City.
But Mourinho’s shrewd move means the players have five days extra rest than Premier League champions, Manchester United, who return to training on July 3.
A Chelsea source said: “Jose is the master man-manager. The players were delighted they had extra time off. In their eyes, he’s made the perfect start without even stepping on to a football pitch.”
Trending
- Nigerian writer urges preservation of literary heritage amid writer shortage
- Health professionals brainstorm in Abuja, seek drug free society
- CAF announce dates for Champions League, Confederation Cup Finals
- Tayo Ayinde withdraws suit against Gani Adams, restates commitment to peace
- Those in corridors of power behind my ordeal – Segun Olatunji
- Remi Tinubu donates N1bn to aid fight against tuberculosis
- Police arrest two for alleged murder of former MD of Jigawa Housing Authority
- Man in police net for allegedly beating wife to death in Lagos