There is a small-sided game still taking place on one of the pitches – and the majority of players not involved watch on. But there is a trio for whom this is opportunity to test their keepie-uppie skills.

Ian Maatsen is one of the three, and there is a smile across his face. Given how he has performed throughout our tour of the United States that is perhaps no surprise.

And when the Dutchman does finally decide to sit alongside his teammates, we join him to discuss the impact he has made this summer under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

‘It’s been good,’ he says. ‘Nice weather. Good tour. A new coach. A lot of hard work. There are a lot of new players in the squad too, but it is a good group. We are all still getting used to each other but are enjoying it.’

Maatsen has been a Chelsea player since 2018 and this trip is not his first away with the senior squad. He was part of a group taken to Ireland ahead of the 2019/20 season by Frank Lampard.

A first-team debut followed in that campaign before loan spells at Charlton Athletic, Coventry City and Burnley were undertaken. Each provided different a challenge, each enabled Maatsen to impress.

He was ready to step up this summer. Pochettino provided the platform. Maatsen has trained with the first-team squad throughout pre-season and featured in our three friendly matches thus far.

He has made his mark. There was a brace against Wrexham in Chapel Hill. An assist for Nicolas Jackson in Atlanta against Brighton. These haven’t come from Maatsen’s usual left-back position, however. He has instead been used further up the pitch ­­– and also from the opposite flank.

‘It has been different, but I quite like it,’ he says. ‘I still find myself in positions on the pitch I know [from playing full-back] and it is good to be adaptable to help the team. That is the most important thing.

‘The goals against Wrexham were a great start and gave me a little more confidence. But it’s always about the next step and thinking about what more I can do to help the team with my performance on the pitch.’

Next for Maatsen – and the rest of the players – is our final Premier League Summer Series fixture. We take on west London neighbours Fulham in Washington DC. It is another stern test against top-flight opposition.

Maatsen is likely to feature once more. Yet he takes nothing for granted. ‘My focus is on working hard every day in training,’ he explains.

‘If I am then given the opportunity to play by the coach, I will give my best and try to show everyone my qualities on the pitch. So far, it’s been good.’

With that, the whistle is blown, the small-sided game ends, and the players, many drenched in sweat, make their way toward the changing room for much-needed showers. Another session is complete. Another step towards the new season has been taken.