Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has warned his players that they should prepare for what will be their toughest pre-season ever.
The 46-year-old started work with the Blues this morning with all players involved in the Euro 2016 Championship not part of the group as they are on extended holidays.
Conte joined Chelsea after an impressive Euro 2016 campaign in France that saw Italy enjoy wins against Belgium and Spain.
The Italian will hold his first press conference as Chelsea boss on Saturday's after the club's first pre-season friendly against Rapid Vienna.
At the start of the month, he declared that he is ready for a "difficult challenge" ahead.
"Now I'll take seven days off when I will try to shift some of this disappointment for going out of the competition before then taking the reins at Chelsea. I know it will be a difficult challenge but that's what I relish," he said.
"In a few days' time the new season will begin and, to be honest, I wouldn't like to have had a single day's holiday as that would have meant going forward in the European Championship."
