EXCL: Chelsea insistent on Caicedo - promise made, Genuine Olise interest, Veiga, Lavia, Ziyech smokescreen, Mudryk and Jackson FT conversations, and more....

The Ben Jacobs Chelsea FC column live from our USA pre-season tour!

Image by @AlfienewmanGD

Chelsea head to Atlanta after an encouraging 4-3 pre-season win over Brighton in Philadelphia. The players are taking well to their new 4-2-3-1 system. There’s already an identity and fluidness to the style of play.

I was particularly impressed by Nicolas Jackson, who got a goal and two assists during the game. His link up with Mykhailo Mudryk for the Ukrainian’s goal was promising and eye-catching. But I was even more struck by an animated conversation between the pair at full-time.

You can tell both players look hungry for success. They were talking about how they can work more effectively together. This might seem like a small thing to notice, right on the full-time whistle, but it shows the players are thinking about their teammates and being vocal, which is something Mauricio Pochettino has challenged Mudryk in particular to be. That kind of leadership and team ethic is going to be very important for Chelsea heading into the new season.