- Premier League champions Chelsea are now in China for pre-season
- The Blues are without some of their star players
- Chelsea will face Arsenal on July 22 in their first friendly game
Reigning Premier League champions Chelsea have trained for the first time in Beijing, China as they began their pre-season exercise ahead of the start of the 2017/18 League season.
But the Blues were without their new signings Tiemoue Bakayoko and German professional football star Antonio Rudiger.
NAIJ.com understands that Tiemoue Bakayoko is currently injured while Antonio Rudiger was given extra break by Chelsea after winning the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup title with Germany.
Spanish international star Diego Costa was also not part of the squad ahead of his move to Atletico Madrid while Belgian Eden Hazard was left in London as he is currently recuperating from injury.
Chelsea will face arch rivals Arsenal in their first pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Beijing's iconic Bird's Nest stadium.
See photos below
Chelsea train in Beijing ahead of their friendly tie with Arsenal (photo: The Sun)
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Chelsea train in Beijing ahead of their friendly tie with Arsenal (photo : The Sun)
Chelsea train in Beijing ahead of their friendly tie with Arsenal (photo: Sun)
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Chelsea train in Beijing ahead of their friendly tie with Arsenal (photo: Sun)
Chelsea train in Beijing ahead of their friendly tie with Arsenal (photo: Sun)
Chelsea train in Beijing ahead of their friendly tie with Arsenal (photo: The Sun)
Chelsea train in Beijing ahead of their friendly tie with Arsenal (photo: Sun)
Watch NAIJ.com video of the Super Eagles below