http://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=406647 Chelsea stir in store Monday, Jul 31, 2006 For the first day since arriving in America, Sunday saw the Chelsea squad excused an afternoon training session. However there was still much exercise for hand muscles as the players took part in a major autograph-signing session downtown. http://www.chelseafc.com/images/-NEWS/news_ustour06c.jpg http://www.chelseafc.com/Images/-NEWS/news_ustour06a.jpg The location was the vast adidas store on 3rd Street in the Santa Monica district of Los Angeles. The players’ coach arrived to find close on a thousand fans surrounding both front and back entrances. Chelseamania would be exaggerating it a little but staff inside expressed surprise at the level of interest. That crowd had turned up just to cheer and get a glimpse. Already queuing inside were the people who had been quick off the mark in responding to an email shot invitation. No-one else would gain entrance. By the end of the hour-long signing session, 300 had enjoyed the chance to have their pictures, posters and clothing signed by each member of the squad, the new adidas home shirt the predictable favourite item. The young players who have been brought away on this trip were present too; yet another taste of the big-time for them. Throughout proceedings, Roman Abramovich looked on. The Chelsea owner has taken an enthusiastic interest in the whole American visit — attending and watching in full each day’s training sessions. When the pens were finally put down, it was time for the players to take their pick of the latest range from Chelsea’s kit partner. Trainers proved especially popular although one or two even added to their football boot collection. Then it was back through the cheering mob to a coach that would ferry them away. Sunday morning had been taken up with training as usual back at the UCLA campus. Every player is currently involved in the work. Andriy Shevchenko was back in full training action having missed one of Saturday’s sessions with a minor niggle while Michael Essien has two days of full training under his belt. There had been initial concerns for the midfielder when he was involved in an accidental and painful collision on Friday afternoon. It brought an end to his work for that day but those robust legs take a lot of stopping and by Saturday, he was powering around the pitch once more. The Sunday excursion to adidas was but a short respite from the preparations for the new season. On Monday morning all will be back on the pitch, working their way through the Jose Mourinho drill. by Paul Mason ~~~ 阿布也跟著去美國，跟得真緊 XD ~~~ --

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