Chelsea in Sydney: EPL champions hold open training session at ANZ Stadium

FOR some it was the only chance to see their heroes, for others - the lucky ones with tickets - it was just an entree taste of Chelsea.

Chelsea Training Session

FOR some it was the only chance to see their heroes, for others - the lucky ones with tickets - it was just an entree taste of Chelsea. On Tuesday night the English Premier League champions play in Sydney for the first time in 41 years, and even their Monday night training session brought the faithful out in force.

Some 10,000 Blues fans were at ANZ Stadium for a training run that began in almost lethargic manner, and suddenly exploded into life.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa on the ball at the club’s open training session at ANZ Stadium on Monday night.

With Jose Mourinho watching wordlessly from the side, his players raced through a reduced-size game and the intensity was mirrored in the stands.

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There were ooohs as Branislav Ivanović’s header flew a fraction over, more when Eden Hazard’s shot flew just wide, and delighted laughter when Diego Costa traded places, went in goal and leapt to tip aside Kurt Zouma’s speculative shot.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho keeps an eye on proceedings.

The glint in the evening gloom wasn’t just the steeliness in Mourinho’s eye but also from the EPL trophy and the Capital One Cup, the spoils of the season brought along on tour and paraded for the fans.

On a Monday night it was an impressive turnout, but will be dwarfed at the real event on Tuesday when ANZ officials are hopeful of setting a new post-Olympics ground record after the 83,833 who crowded in to last year’s NRL grand final netween the Bulldogs and the Rabbitohs.

The English Premier League trophy and Capital One Cup at ANZ Stadium.

It was, suggested defender César Azpilicueta, almost a surreal experience. “We’re not really used to seeing supporters at training so it was nice to have them here,” he said.

“This kind of tour we do to be with fans around the world who cannot be with us the whole year. There were three days in Thailand and three in Australia but we enjoy the time - it’s our last time together as a team for the season, and it’s good to be able to share the trophies with the fans.

Chelsea star Eden Hazard at their open training session at ANZ Stadium on Monday night.

“To bring the trophies is massive for the supporters, so they can see them for real.”

Mourinho has promised to pick as strong a team as he can - at least to start - which means Petr Cech in goal, John Terry in defence, and the formidable striking trio of Hazard, Costa and Loic Remy. On their final outing of the season, and backed by a distinctly partisan crowd, they might just turn it on.

Originally published as Chelsea in Sydney: EPL champions hold open training session at ANZ Stadium