How do you feel about meeting up with your team-mates for pre-season training after the end of your summer holidays?

Cesar Azpilicueta: It is a good moment. We all enjoy our time during the summer break to recharge our batteries and it is good to come back to work again after that. It is nice to meet up with my team-mates and talk about our holidays.

Gary Cahill: It’s always good to come back and see the lads and get down to work. We all enjoy it. You come back refreshed and ready to go.

Willian: Always when you go away on holiday for a month, there are three, four or five days after you get back that are difficult. But then you get a little stronger, you do something different and you are ready to push harder. The physios and masseurs are very important for us in this period!

Of course, it’s good to be back together with your friends and your team-mates, and the overseas training trips are also good for building up the team spirit.

Kurt Zouma: It is always a good feeling to spend time with your team-mates. We all love to play football and we are like a family, so it is good.



How important is pre-season training in your preparation for the new season?

Cahill: Pre-season is very important. It sets the standard for the rest of the campaign. Last year we had a really good pre-season and we went on to win the league.

Zouma: It is good to work hard together in pre-season. It helps to build the team as well as fitness. Last summer I was recovering from my injury but it felt good to be a part of the team on the tour in America.