Chelsea step out for a walk in Haifa despite security fears

Training day: Chelsea are put through their paces ahead of tonight's match
Simon Johnson24 November 2015

Chelsea went for their traditional pre-match walk ahead of their Champions League game in Israel tonight despite security concerns in the country.

The British Government announced last week they considered there to be a “high threat” of terrorism in Israel and warned tourists to “take extra care and be vigilant when using public transport in Tel Aviv”.

Chelsea are playing Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight and although the match is being staged 60 miles away in Haifa due to the suitability of the club’s home ground, security has still been an issue.

However, the Blues felt sufficiently safe this lunchtime to take a stroll around the city.

The last time Chelsea played in Israel, in 2001, six players decided not to travel after the September 11 attacks in America.

Graeme Le Saux was one of those players to miss the UEFA Cup tie with Hapoel Tel Aviv and he was singled out by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho last night.

“I didn’t have one single problem inside of the squad,” he said. “I didn’t have a Graeme Le Saux. I had everybody without fears, just wanting to come.”

Le Saux last month criticised Mourinho’s “damaging” behaviour after his run‑ins with the FA and the Dr Eva Carneiro controversy.

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