Chelsea flew into Seattle for the World Football Challenge with virtually a full squad for new boss Carlo Ancelotti to choose from.

Paulo Ferreira, who is still recovering from cruciate ligament damage, does not travel. England international Joe Cole also misses the trip following what has been described as ‘minor surgery’ on his knee. Those two apart, the 26-man squad includes recent signing Ross Turnbull and will be enhanced by Yuri Zhirkov, another addition from CSKA Moscow, who will join mid-tour. John Terry leads the squad despite the recent transfer rumours surrounding the England centre-bank and the likes of Petr Cech, Frank Lampard, Michaels Essien and Ballack, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka will all play some part in the up-coming tournament.

With four games in eleven days starting with Seattle Sounders this coming Saturday – Ancelotti’s first competitive game in charge – the Italian will be given an early indication of his new charges fitness levels ahead of what could be a very interesting season. Matches against both Milan teams will also provide the likes of Drogba and Ballack with opportunities to show their new boss that they are worthy of regular staring eleven positions.

A strong showing against the quality of opposition that Inter and Milan will provide, even at such an early stage of pre-season, will allow Ancelotti to gauge exactly how far he needs to travel to allow owner Roman Abramovic to realise his dream of Chelsea becoming Champions of Europe.