N'Golo Kante is part of Chelsea's squad that has travelled to Abu Dhabi, even though he still faces three months on the sidelines.
The French midfielder is one of 25 players the Blues have revealed have flown for warm weather training, the club confirmed on Monday.
Chelsea are playing Unai Emery's Aston Villa in a friendly at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Sunday, in which the winners will win the Al Wahda Challenge Cup.
Abu Dhabi was the site of Chelsea's successful World Club Cup win earlier in the year.