Ryan ready for Man City after Olympic challenge

Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand has hailed his experience with Team GB in the Oympic Games. Photo credit: Andrew Matthews/ PA wire

Wednesday, August 8, 2012
12:22 PM

Chelsea younsgter is glad to be back with Blues after Team GB exploits

Ryan Bertrand relished his London 2012 experience and hopes his time with the Team GB squad will help him as Chelsea prepare for the start of the new season.

The Blues are building up to Sunday’s Community Shield clash against Premier League champions Manchester City at Villa Park and their preparations were boosted yesterday as the left back and several other Olympian team-mates returned to the club’s Cobham training ground.

Daniel Sturridge and Spanish duo Juan Mata and Oriol Romeu also joined up with Roberto Di Matteo’s squad but new signing Oscar will miss the weekend’s friendly after he helped his Brazil side reach the gold medal showdown with Mexico.

Bertrand and co exited the tournament on penalties at the quarter final stage, but the young defender is glad to have played his part.

“It’s been a very good summer, playing in the Olympics was an amazing experience and now I’m looking forward to the season, which starts very soon,” he told Chelsea’s official site.

“It was fantastic to learn from players who have had such good careers like Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy, it really was a massive learning experience and the opportunity to experience another international set-up after England Under-21s.

“Being at a home Olympics does give you that added incentive and to have so much support from all the fans around the country was fantastic.

“I had my holidays after the season where it was good to unwind but now it’s good to get back to Chelsea.

“It’s nice to be back, and training was good. You can see the boys have been working hard on the tour, so things are looking bright for the beginning of the season. I managed to play all the games for Team GB bar one so that was good fitness-wise and I’m raring to go.”