Pre-season tours are very different for me now. As a player, I would train, return to the hotel to rest, or be preparing for a game. Now I get to interact with the Chelsea supporters and see more of the amazing cities and countries we visit.

Having never visited Australia before, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew it was their winter… but the weather was really nice. I’d take being able to walk around in a T-shirt during our winter in England!

I had quite a few different things to do for the club during my trip, and fortunately it meant I saw plenty of Sydney. We got down to Bondi Beach, which was on the bucket list, and Coogee Beach along the coast as well, which was really cool.

We also took a ferry ride to Taronga Zoo, which gave us a great view of the harbour with the opera house and suspension bridge. I got the chance to see koalas, kangaroos and wallabies at Taronga – and was allowed to feed an emu. That’s an experience I’ll always remember!

But honestly, what I enjoyed most during the trip were the supporters’ events. I’ve always known how big Chelsea is around the world, yet it’s only by coming to different countries that you truly realise how passionate the fans are about the club.

They’re so far from London – it took us a day to get to Sydney! – but they are sometimes getting up in the middle of the night to watch games and support the boys. So being able to have in-depth chats, sign shirts and take pictures with the fans means a lot to me.

Still being associated with Chelsea is something I’m proud of. I spent so many wonderful years at the club and it’s always good to catch up with a few old faces. The staff you don’t often see put in a lot of work to make sure these tours are special.

Being back in the Chelsea environment gets me thinking about my career. When I’m watching football on TV, I don’t feel like I’m missing out.

Yet when I’m around training or am pitch-side ahead of a game against Tottenham… that’s when I want to be back out there with the boys representing this club.

Unfortunately, I will not be in Hong Kong or the other stops on the tour; another Chelsea legend and a man I know well is stepping in for week two. But I’ve no doubt the fans will be as passionate there as they were in Sydney. Enjoy it!