Skip to content

Premier League clubs back for pre-season training - running, gym work... table-tennis

Balotelli trains with his Liverpool team-mates ahead of the new season

Pre-season's a time for slog, sweat and science and Premier League clubs across the country are getting back down to business.

The new top-flight term kicks off on Saturday, August 13 and while some players have been granted an extended breather after international commitments, plenty have returned to action under the watchful eye of managers familiar and new.

From tried-and-tested drills to team games, hard miles and health checks, see what your squad's been up to and follow their pre-season results...

Pre-season guide
Pre-season guide

Keep track of the Premier League clubs' pre-season fixtures and results

ARSENAL

Last season's runners-up returned to action on July 5 - and got straight down to work with a double session. Theo Walcott, Per Mertesacker and Calum Chambers all featured but the likes of Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey - in France at Euro 2016 - and Copa America winner Alexis Sanchez, who is recovering from an ankle injury, will link up with their club team-mates later this month. Arsene Wenger's side travel to the USA at the end of July for two games - including against an MLS All-Stars side that could include Kaka and Didier Drogba.

Theo Walcott takes part in an Arsenal pre-season training session at London Colney
Image: Theo Walcott takes part in an Arsenal pre-season training session at London Colney
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leads the way as Arsenal's players start the pre-season running
Image: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leads the way as Arsenal's players start the pre-season running
Per Mertesacker gets back on the ball under the watchful eye of manager Arsene Wenger
Image: Per Mertesacker gets back on the ball as Arsene Wenger watches on

EVERTON

Everton were back at Finch Farm on July 5 and new gaffer Ronald Koeman was hands-on as he assessed his new squad's skills. Koeman takes his players to Germany in late July, before sending a side to Old Trafford for former Toffee Wayne Rooney's testimonial on August 3.

Also See:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

See Ronald Koeman taking charge of his first training session with new side Everton

Ronald Koeman tests Kevin Mirallas' ball control during Everton's first training session back at Finch Farm
Image: Ronald Koeman tests Kevin Mirallas' ball control during Everton's first training session back at Finch Farm. Pic: Tony McArdle
Leighton Baines runs the mini-hurdle gauntlet as Everton get stuck into pre-season
Image: Leighton Baines runs the mini-hurdle gauntlet as Everton get stuck into pre-season. Pic: Tony McArdle
Gerard Deulofeu gets to work in the gym as Everton return for pre-season training
Image: Gerard Deulofeu puts in a shift at the gym as Everton return for pre-season training. Pic: Tony McArdle

LIVERPOOL

Liverpool were back to work on July 2 - and boss Jurgen Klopp welcomed employees old and new. Sadio Mane, a summer signing from Southampton, limbered up with his new team-mates, while Mario Balotelli seemed happy back on Merseyside after an ill-fated stint with AC Milan that saw him score just once in 23 appearances. The Reds take on the likes of AC Milan and Barcelona in the International Champions Cup - live on Sky - this summer.

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool and Zeljko Buvac fi
Image: Share the joke, Jurgen? Reds boss Klopp and Zeljko Buvac enjoyed their first day back at Melwood
Sadio Mane trains with his new team-mates as Liverpool return for pre-season
Image: Sadio Mane trains with his new team-mates as Liverpool return for pre-season
Mario Balotelli - back at Liverpool after an unsuccessful loan spell with AC Milan - gets stuck in with Roberto Firmino
Image: Mario Balotelli - back at Liverpool after an unsuccessful loan spell with AC Milan - gets stuck in with Roberto Firmino

MANCHESTER CITY

While rivals Manchester United were unveiling Jose Mourinho to the media, Pep Guardiola was at work on the training pitch. Star names like Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne are not due to link up with the squad for another fortnight after international endeavours but Guardiola had a healthy complement - that included Yaya Toure - back in action, ahead of high-profile clashes with former club Bayern Munch and Mourinho's new United in Beijing.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (centre) during a training session at City Football Academy
Image: Pep Guardiola (centre) starts work on the training pitch at City Football Academy
Manchester City's Yaya Toure during a training session at City Football Academy.
Image: He's been linked with a move away but Yaya Toure was back at work in City colours
Manchester City's Jesus Navas (facing camera) joins in strength-building exercises during a training session at City Football Academy
Image: Jesus Navas (facing camera) joins in strength-building exercises during a training session at City Football Academy

SUNDERLAND

Sunderland narrowly escaped relegation last season and boss Sam Allardyce called his players back on July 4 before putting them through a string of health checks. Allardyce will take his players on a pre-season tour of France and has a final warm-up fixture against Borussia Dortmund in the diary. 

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Watch Sunderland's players return to training ahead of the new Premier League season

Jermain Defoe and Jermain Lens (L) take to the exercise bikes on the first day of Sunderland training at The Academy of Light
Image: Jermain Defoe and Jermain Lens (L) take to the exercise bikes on the first day of Sunderland training at The Academy of Light
Lee Cattermole's sprinting is scrutinised during Sunderland training
Image: Lee Cattermole's sprinting is scrutinised during Sunderland training
Duncan Watmore gets checked over by Sunderland club doctor Ish Rehman during the first day of pre-season training
Image: Duncan Watmore gets checked over by Sunderland club doctor Ish Rehman during the first day of pre-season training

WEST HAM 

Footballs, medicine balls, ping-pong balls - West Ham have mixed it up since starting pre-season training Stateside. The Hammers were comfortably beaten by Seattle Sounders in their opening warm-up fixture and will be keen to put on a better show when they host Juventus in a curtain-raiser for their new home, the Olympic Stadium.

Manuel Lanzini works on his upper body strength as West Ham return to pre-season training
Image: Manuel Lanzini works on his upper body strength as West Ham return to pre-season training
West Ham striker Andy Carroll in action during a pre-season session at Virginia Mason Athletic Center - training  base of the Seattle Seahawks
Image: West Ham striker Andy Carroll in action during a pre-season session at Virginia Mason Athletic Center - training base of the Seattle Seahawks
West Ham's Pedro Obiang and Adrian swap football for table tennis during a break from the training field
Image: West Ham's Pedro Obiang and Adrian swap football for table tennis during a break from the training field

Around Sky