The end of the season is approaching, as evidenced by the rising spring temperatures at Cobham, while the race for UEFA Champions League qualification is also heating up.

The Blues are currently on course for a top-five finish in the Premier League and a spot in Europe’s leading club competition for 2025/26, with two league fixtures remaining in which to seal our qualification.

The first of those arrives on Friday evening, when we host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in our final home game of the campaign, followed by a trip to Nottingham Forest on the last day of the Premier League.

Preparations for the meeting with Man Utd got underway yesterday, and picked up speed out on the training pitch at Cobham, and the bright Surrey sun on Wednesday.

With six points left to play for in the Premier League, the Blues are working hard to be as ready as possible to take on the Red Devils, knowing it is likely to be a huge game in our pursuit of a return to the Champions League.

‘Now is the moment to show character,’ said Marc Cucurella. ‘Everything we have been building towards, we need to show now. Now we need to forget the last game because we have an important game on Friday.

‘Every game in this league is tough and the table shows it’s still tight. This is one of the best leagues in the world. I think we are preparing for this and we need to show we can play under pressure if we want to achieve our objectives.

‘We need to play the game that we plan and show we are ready to play in these types of games.’

Friday night's clash with the Red Devils will be shown live on Sky Sports at 8.15pm in the UK.

We will also be keeping you up to date with minute-by-minute coverage of all the build-up, action and reaction throughout matchday - as well as live audio commentary - in our Chelsea vs Manchester United Match Centre.