Chelsea star pictured in training – plus big smiles from punished winger | OneFootball

Chelsea have just put up their training photos from this morning’s session at Cobham, and there were a couple of really interesting things to note.

Enzo Maresca put his group through their paces at a frosty Cobham under a slate grey sky in Surrey. The team have had two bad results back to back which have dented their nascent title hopes, and a trip to Ipswich tomorrow night hands them a great chance to show they are the real deal once again.

Wounded captain building up

Reece James trains at Cobham. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

The loss of Reece James after the last international break has been a blow to this team, without doubt. When he’s fit he’s one of the world class players in the team, and to make things worse his replacement Malo Gusto has not been in the best form.

Some good has come from his injury in that Josh Acheampong has ended up getting more minutes and signing a new deal – but nothing would compare to the boost of getting James back. We heard last week that he was in training again, and by the evidence of a photo from the session today he’s now fully taking part.

Noni Madueke produces a big smile

Noni Madueke smiles in training. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)

Noni Madueke was left out of the team for the game against Fulham, with Enzo Maresca seeming to blame poor training performances for the absence. It’s not the first time the coach has been unhappy with Madueke’s attitude.

Anyway, here he is with a big smile on his face in training – let’s hope he was putting a shift in to impress the gaffer and secure his place in the starting team for tomorrow night’s game. We need freshness out wide, and he can provide it.