The Pre-Season Thread

[Jase 43,479]

Players traveling to US...23 players that include 19 senior players and just 4 youngsters.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3185406/title/blues-bound-for-america

Petr Cech

Hilario

Jamal Blackman

Paulo Ferreira

Cesar Azpilicueta

Branislav Ivanovic

Ashley Cole

Gary Cahill

David Luiz

Andreas Christensen

John Mikel Obi

Nathan Ake

Ramires

Frank Lampard

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Eden Hazard

Juan Mata

Yossi Benayoun

Marko Marin

Victor Moses

Oscar

Fernando Torres

Demba Ba

[JLC 13]

The football market in comparison to the population is pathetic & has been for decades.

Chelsea gets paid well for two training games in the US but I´d rather see the players resting in Tahiti.

Professional sports aren't as big here as college sports. That's why our market isn't good compared to our population. Our powerhouse college US football teams get upwards to 100 at stadiums that hold them compared to our professional US football teams which usually get around 80k which is the most popular sport here. Other professional sports in the US only get 20k people at their games. So english football starting to reach 15-20k people here is a huge step. While you may not see it as important, I see it as important for the GAME in the US. Not to mention more money for chelsea = better players to be brought in. I don't think the stars will play much, only through half time if that. It's for fun, and they'll enjoy playing the game for fun rather than for competition for once.

[Chelsea? 892]

Off topic, but how is Feruz doing?

[sainttourist 68]

Somebody knows is Rafa still with the squad for this two? Just wonder who step in if he is not.

[mybodyisready 155]

Rafa is still the manager.

Bit OT but why did we play so many games this season compared to other seasons? 2 cup replays, 2 games at CWC, 1 super cup, 1 community shield..Take those away and it'll be a 63 game season, which sounds reasonable for a standard season since we compete in 38 games in the epl, league cup, fa cup and champions league..

[Jase 43,479]

Pretty sure most of you, if not all, by now would know that we are having our next season's pre-season in Asia with 3 matches to be played in the continent.

1. vs Singha All-Stars - in Bangkok on 17th July at 2pm UK time.
2. vs Malaysia XI - in Kuala Lumpur on 21st July at 2.45pm UK time.
3. vs BNI Indonesia All Stars - in Jakarta on 25th July at 2pm UK time.

NOW news have come that we would also be playing in United States (again) in a 8-team International Champions Cup tournament along with AC Milan, Everton, Juventus, Inter Milan, LA-Galaxy, Real Madrid and Benfica (or Valencia) from 27th July to 8th August.

The news is yet to be announced by the club but Everton have done so.

Everton can confirm initial details of a glamorous pre-season tour to the USA.

The Blues are in line to face three of the biggest names in football during the three-city tour, which takes place at the end of July and beginning of August.

Everton will face three of the teams from this stellar list of participants as part of the International Champions Cup: Juventus, LA Galaxy, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Chelsea, Benfica and Real Madrid.

The first game will take place on Tuesday 30 July in San Francisco. The following Saturday, 3 August, will see the Blues play in Los Angeles, before a third match in Miami on either Tuesday 6 or Wednesday 7 August.

The list of potential opponents includes global megastars Real Madrid, Italian champions Juventus and their compatriots - star-studded heavyweights AC and Inter Milan.

Premier League rivals Chelsea are also on the possible list, alongside the team they recently defeated to secure the Europa League title - Portuguese giants Benfica.

America's own MLS champions LA Galaxy, boasting former Blue Landon Donovan, are also involved in the big-hitting US tournament.

Source: http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2013/05/25/everton-to-head-stateside

And here's the competition's website - http://internationalchampionscup.com/. Can find out more details (sort of) in them.

Everton said Benfica are participating in the tournament but the website says Valencia. And think it's Valencia as stated on their Twitter account.

Int Champions Cup ‏@IntChampionsCup

The 8 clubs will be @realmadrid @acmilan @intermilan @juventusfc @valenciacf @everton @chelseafc and @lagalaxy!

All in all, we are playing in this yet for more money. Already having our pre-season in Asia and now we facing these teams all the way in US. Flogging the players to death even before the season starts. Brilliant. Just brilliant!

P.S. Will post the club's announcement once they announced it.

[mybodyisready 155]

Chelsea, never fail to amuse. So to Asia, then America, then back to Europe and the season wouldn't even be started. Genius.

[Hutcho 8,443]

Lol. Whats the point of an international champions cup in preseason. THATS WHY WE HAVE THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.

The off season is getting shorter and shorter.

[Jase 43,479]

OK. Think it's Valencia and not Benfica who are participating in the tournament as mentioned in their Twitter account.

Int Champions Cup ‏@IntChampionsCup

The 8 clubs will be @realmadrid @acmilan @intermilan @juventusfc @valenciacf @everton @chelseafc and @lagalaxy!

[chelsea blue 615]

http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/5/25/4366052/chelsea-international-champions-cup-2013

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Chelsea Football Club will be taking part in the inaugural Guinness International Champions Cup in America this summer.

The eight-team tournament will see us play three games in August, with opposition confirmed from Europe, the Barclays Premier League and the MLS.

Chelsea FC will join AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Real Madrid, Valencia, Everton and LA Galaxy in the competition.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3191221/title/chelsea-to-play-in-stateside-tournament

[Jase 43,479]

Chelsea Football Club will be taking part in the inaugural Guinness International Champions Cup in America this summer.

The eight-team tournament will see us play three games in August, with opposition confirmed from Europe, the Barclays Premier League and the MLS.

Chelsea FC will join AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Real Madrid, Valencia, Everton and LA Galaxy in the competition.

http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3191221/title/chelsea-to-play-in-stateside-tournament

Well done Ron 'Money Making Machine' Gourlay...

Will add the full details into the 1st post once the club put it up.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Are we trying to work our players to death?!

[DJames 729]

Opportunity for Mourinho to get accustomed to our players and implement his plan................

[karaclouds 47]

well at least were safe for FFP then and this huge pre season wasnt last year.......

[Shogun 721]

We meet again.

No idea how we got ourselves in this tbh, we have great support in the states but it is still a surprise.

I think we will play Valencia, Chelsea and one of the Italians.

[nachikethas 1,149]

Any Asian friends here going for these matches?what's tickets price

[Strike 7,217]

America last year, America post season. No other possible reason for America again. It's the money