There was a feeling of summer in the air as the Blues' players walked out onto the training pitch at Cobham this morning.

The session included the welcome sight of the likes of Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto and Raheem Sterling continuing to work towards full fitness. That trio all returned to the matchday squad for our 5-0 thrashing of West Ham United last weekend.

That big win over West Ham, coupled with the 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge that preceded it, contributed to plenty of wide smiles among the squad on the training pitch today.

And no player has more reason to be cheerful this week than Cole Palmer.

After netting the 24th goal of his brilliant debut Blues campaign against the Hammers, the young forward was named Chelsea Men's Player of the Season and Players' Player of the Season at our annual awards ceremony on Tuesday evening, before receiving nominations for Premier League Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season this morning.

‘It’s special to get recognition from the supporters and my team-mates together,’ said Palmer after his Chelsea awards double.

‘It’s really important. My team-mates are with me every day so to know that they have recognised me is really nice.’

Another Blue honoured on Tuesday was Alfie Gilchrist, who was named Men's Academy Player of the Season after a breakthrough year that has seen him become very much part of Mauricio Pochettino's senior squad.

'It’s a surreal moment for me really,' said Gilchrist. 'Coming from the Academy, these are the awards that you look at.

'When people get them in the Academy you know it’s a big achievement so to get it myself – I’m very proud.

'My family and friends are delighted and equally proud as well, it’s a special moment.'

At the other end of the spectrum is Thiago Silva, a former Chelsea Player of the Season who received a huge ovation from the home fans at the Bridge on Sunday following the announcement the 39-year-old will be leaving the club at the end of 2023/24.

It has now been confirmed Thiago will return home to join Fluminense after our final league fixture against Bournemouth, but for the time being he remains very much committed to the Blues, as anyone who saw his passionate celebrations as the goals flew in against West Ham knows well.

For now, focus throughout the squad remains very much on Saturday's trip to Forest and taking our home form on the road to make it three wins on the bounce, with Noni Madueke summing up the feeling that things have been slotting into place for the team recently.

Madueke said: ‘We’re starting to put everything together in terms of being a collective team, being unselfish, working hard for each other, and I think the last two games have really shown that with the performances and the results.

‘Two clean sheets and seven goals against tough opponents – it’s starting to click, so we just have to stay with our feet on the ground and try to win these last three games to finish as high as possible.’