Joomla Login LightBox powered by WowJoomla.com

If it didn't seem like they were away for long to the supporters, for the players the end of season break was even shorter.

Monday's return to pre-season came just 37 days after the FA Cup Final, with international duty in between for some of the players.

Nicolas Anelka was one of those, in international action with France until June 5, but despite the limited time away, he is pleased to be back at Cobham and getting back to work.

'Yes, it was short so you don't have so much time to lose our condition and take on weight,' he joked.

'The holiday was too short! I enjoyed it, it was short but it was good to have holidays, I went to see my family in the West Indies and then went to Dubai,' added last season's Golden Boot winner, his mind now focused on being ready for the 2009/10 campaign.

'It is good, to be back with everyone, and I think it will be a nice season,' reported the 30-year-old. 'The new manager is good, he speaks well with everybody and is trying to learn the English language. You can see from the training we have had that he is good.'

Anelka, pictured on the balance boards with Michael Ballack, has been joined in training by a familiar face from his past, in Daniel Sturridge.

Speaking to Chelsea TV this week, the new signing explained that Anelka was a player he had always looked up to, having trained with him at Eastlands a few years back.

'I remember him, he was already very good at 14, 15, and I trained with him at Man City and I remember playing with him up front in one little game, he is a very good talent,' said the Frenchman.

No doubt Sturridge will be looking to pick up more hints and tips from Anelka and Didier Drogba as the season progresses.