Yossi Benayoun joined his new Chelsea team-mates for the first time on Monday when those players not involved in the World Cup reported back for pre-season training at Cobham.

As well as catching a glimpse of their new £6million signing in Chelsea kit for the first time there was further good news for Blues fans as Benayoun was accompanied by Michael Essien and Jon Mikel Obi for the workout.

Midfield stars Essien and Obi were forced to sit out the World Cup with Ghana and Nigeria respectively because of injury, but appeared well on their way back to full strength as they jogged with Benayoun and goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Despite Chelsea's success in winning the Barclays Premier League and FA Cup double, Essien, in particular, was sorely missed by the Blues after he suffered left knee ligament damage on Ghana duty during the Africa Cup of Nations in January. The former Lyon man has not played for the club since 2009 because of injury.

Benayoun, 30, sealed his switch to Stamford Bridge last weekend when he signed a three-year deal to become Carlo Ancelotti's first summer acquisition.

'Everything looks lovely, it is a great training ground and you can see it is one of the best clubs in the world from the way the people here treat you,' he said.

Cech, meanwhile, praised the skillful Israel international, who has been seen as a direct replacement for released midfielder Joe Cole, and added that he believed Benayoun would be a welcome addition to the club.

He said: 'I think he is a very intelligent player, very technical and different from other types of players we have. For me he is a very good player so I think he will be very welcome.
'I was surprised [Joe] Cole left because he’s been at Chelsea for many years.'


Source: Daily Mail (UK)