On the last night of the Hong Kong leg of Chelsea’s pre-season tour, all the players and staff made the most of a rare break to head out for a meal together.Such was the intensity of the work put in during this trip to Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia, it was one of just two days off everyone got to enjoy over a period away lasting in excess of two weeks.It was seen as a great opportunity for the group to get out of the team hotel and spend time together in a less formal setting, and strengthen bonds. The menu was primarily Chinese, and they ate with a great view of the lights of Hong Kong Island reflected in the waters of the harbour.The tour, which involved over 25,000 miles of flying, is an important part of Chelsea’s preparation for the coming season under new manager Xabi Alonso.There were five games, two open training sessions, transfer activity, a punishment issued by the Football Association for past misdemeanours and Mykhailo Mudryk finally being reunited with the squad. In other words, and in keeping with this football club, never a dull moment.To tell the story of Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and East Asia, The Athletic spoke with sources at the club and around the squad on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships.The mood of Cole Palmer was an early gauge. Feeling fresh from a rare full summer off after being left out of England’s World Cup squad, those close to the Chelsea travelling party quickly noticed he was in great spirits.It was not just that he volunteered to do his first pre-match press conference since joining from Manchester City in September 2023 before the Tottenham friendly in Sydney — the 24-year-old joked about sending the bailiffs to the house of new £117million-signing Morgan Rogers should his friend do the ‘ice cold’ celebration, which Palmer has trademarked — but also his interactions behind the scenes, in the camp and at fan events, that showed his upbeat mindset.One incident in Hong Kong, which made it onto social media, showed him posing for a picture with a group of fans, tapping the shoulder of one in the front row so he looked the wrong way as the cameras flashed.