Conte drills Omeruo at Chelsea training session

By Taofeek Babalola

Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo was among the Chelsea players that were put through their paces on Monday by the club’s manager Antonio Conte as Chelsea returned to their Cobham training base for the first full day of pre-season.

The Nigerian international who was loaned to Alanyaspor last season was part in a gruelling opening session alongside members of the squad as they again look to set for the preparation for the upcoming season.

The former Flying Eagles defender who joined the Blues in January 2012 from Liège has since been loaned out to gain more experience.

He was immediately loaned to Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag in 2012 after his move to Chelsea before he joined Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season.

On 21 July 2015, Omeruo moved to Kasımpaşa on a season-long loan with an option to purchase the player at the end of the spell but Kasımpaşa decided to pass on the option due to a lack of funds, which led to Omeruo returning to Chelsea.

Again, On 31 August 2016, after he served out for Kasımpaşa, Omeruo joined Alanyaspor on a season-long loan before he returned for Chelsea for pre-season.

It is yet to be seen whether he will be given a chance to showcase his talent under Antonio Conte like his compatriots Victor Moses who won league title for Chelsea last season after series of loan moves.

However, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Pedro and Willian, Lucas Piazon, Andreas Christensen, Jake Clarke-Salter were also joined in the session but there were a number of players who were absent from the pre-season session, including controversial striker Diego Costa.

The Spain international forward was given additional time off as he looks to seal a move away from Stamford Bridge back to his former club Atletico Madrid.

New signing Antonio Rudiger was another player who did not take part in the session. The defender has also been given an extended lay-off as he looks to recover from Germany's Confederations Cup win in time for the new season. Willy Caballero did take part in the session following his move to Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League champions begin the new season with the Community Shield against Arsenal on Sunday August 6 at Wembley.