European football is back on the agenda after a rare season without it in 2023/24. Our maiden participation in the Conference League begins at the play-off round with a two-legged tie against Servette.

The Swiss side were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Braga in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, but not without giving the Portuguese side a serious scare. Enzo Maresca knows we cannot afford to take the Swiss Cup winners lightly.

One player who will know what they are all about is Renato Veiga. The 21-year-old signed from Swiss side Basel, who were beaten twice by Servette in the league last season.

The versatile Portuguese player made his Chelsea debut off the bench against City, and is now targeting a full debut for the Blues.

Veiga came on at left-back but can also play in midfield. In his media conference that took place prior to training, Maresca had words of praise for a man who always operates in the middle of the park, Romeo Lavia.

The Belgian was a mainstay in pre-season and looked sharp on his full Chelsea debut against Manchester City.

‘Unfortunately Romeo last year was not fit,’ said Maresca, ‘but this year he started very well, and he can give us also off the ball a big help.’

Lavia himself spoke in the wake of Sunday’s game of his joy at returning to action, saying ‘pre-season helped me to get here today and I’m just grateful to be back with the team’.

You could tell that today!

Cole Palmer has added another award to his crowded mantelpiece this week. At a ceremony in his home city of Manchester last night, he was named the PFA Young Player of the Year.

‘The whole season was a great season personally and hopefully, we can kick on this season,’ Palmer said.

‘I want to win trophies with Chelsea, that is the main thing, and then the individual awards are nice.’

Palmer was back from Manchester and straight into the thick of things at training. Like many of his teammates, he could make his European bow for the Blues tomorrow.