The Cobham training ground could twin itself with the Mary Celeste.
A rejuvenated Cesc Fabregas, who scored in a pre-international break 2-0 win over Everton, reckons four players will be on duty.
The car parks are empty as 20 Chelsea first-teamers scatter to corners of the world, among them Eden Hazard, summoned to join the Belgian squad for matches against Gibraltar and Greece, despite still recovering from an ankle injury.
Hazard joins his compatriots (he is, after all, the captain), with the chance of a cameo role as he eases himself back to full fitness.
Tony Conte is relaxed about the situation. “It could be positive for Eden to go with the national team and have the training sessions,” he said.
In the stifling cauldron of Stamford Bridge on bank holiday weekend, Chelsea went a long way to proving that defeat to Burnley was an August quirk.
Sturdy showings by Fabregas and Willian, and a goal and assist from new boy Alvaro Morata, point to the ship being steadied.
Confidence is growing, and with Hazard hoping to play some part in the next fixture away to Leicester, plus late business before the transfer window closes, there’s optimism in the air in SW6.
Just as well, as the Blues embark on another European adventure on Tuesday week, playing the unlikely-sounding Qarabag at the Bridge. They charge 5p for them at my supermarket.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
