The Foundation’s coaches were in the States ahead of the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and his squad and they are involved in projects throughout in LA, Las Vegas and Orlando.

During the California leg, there were several days of coaching of local kids in coordination with Brotherhood Crusade, a grassroots organisation with an amazing story to tell.

On what was once a dust-bowl piece of waste ground between two streets with a gang on one side in constant conflict with a gang on the other, a million-dollar soccer facility was laid down eight years ago and slowly but steadily, Brotherhood Crusade’s coaching of kids there brought the community together. What was once an area rife with crime, prostitution and drugs is a very changed place.

It is estimated up to 15,000 young people have enjoyed the benefits of the facility over the years and such has been its success that other sports have built similar fields alongside.

With the Chelsea Foundation in town, the latest generation were given top-level coaching and the coaches were handed tips and guidance to help leave a lasting effect.

Blues legend Joe Cole, who is working on the US Tour, attended to see for himself Brotherhood Crusade’s great project and to join in with the coaching.

He asked about a large mural there, and was told it was recently painted 30 years on to remember Latasha Harlins who died as a teenager, with the sense of injustice surrounding that, along with the beating of Rodney King, majors sparks for the riots that hit Los Angeles in 1992.

As well as also learning about the football that takes place there, Cole, whose visit features in the video below, spoke to the young participants and answered their questions before the ball work on the pitch began.

‘This type of work is close to my heart,’ Cole said afterwards.

‘My foundation at home works with another foundation to raise money for OnSide, which is similar, giving kids in underprivileged areas an opportunity, so it is great to see it in action with the club in America.

‘The kids were so polite. Some of these rough parts of Los Angeles are really tough yet there's these little rays of light helping support the next generation.

‘It’s a great job by people over here and the Chelsea Foundation. I grew up in a rough part of London and I was a lucky one because football has given me a great life and a great opportunity.

‘These kids might not become footballers but the fundamentals like looking after yourself, learning about nutrition, working with a team, learning how to be positive, learning how to have manners - these are little lessons you learn through football that can help you in life.’

Leo Hill III from Brotherhood Crusade is hugely enthusiastic about Chelsea’s input.

‘Our kids, they have their dreams and they want to feel recognised. The only people that really recognise them are Brotherhood Crusade so for an organisation like Chelsea to come out here and fulfil their dreams is magnificent.

‘Everybody always promises them things and it never happens, but this time it has and I look forward to more collaboration.

‘Thanks to Joe for coming here the kids are definitely new fans,’ he added. ‘They're looking for jerseys, they're looking out for their favourite players, and after the event, they're watching the highlights of games.’

Coordinating the Chelsea Foundation’s work on the ground, as he has done during many tours, is international development manager Ian Woodroffe.

‘It is fantastic to be back out on the pitches, the tour has been phenomenal,’ he said. ‘The kids have been fantastic, having Joe out here demonstrates to the community how important they are to a club like Chelsea. It really helps raise aspirations and the level. It is what the club is about, giving back to the community, so it has been really powerful.

‘Joe is passionate about the kids and the community and all the work we do out here. We have had more kids attending each day. The word’s out, Chelsea are in town and they want to take part in the programme.

‘We’ll work with over 1000 kids over the two weeks, all different programmes - from mainstream clubs, to schools, to programmes in the community, and with 300-plus coaches involved in coach education we aim to share best practice used by Chelsea in the hope they come away with a positive perspective on club. We may even gain a few new fans in process.’