LONDON - Henk ten Cate had his first look at some of the Chelsea players on Friday when he watched a friendly clash against Watford at the club's Cobham training ground.
The Dutchman, whose coaching appointment was confirmed by the club the previous day, watched the game alongside co-assistant Steve Clarke and manager Avram Grant.
The game allowed ten Cate to get his first look at those Chelsea players not on international duty and the Blues, who fielded a mixture of first-team stars and reserves, ran out 3-2 winners.
The game also gave left-back Wayne Bridge plenty of useful minutes on the pitch in his quest for full fitness and there was a return to action for Jimmy Smith, who was playing his first football since a foot injury put a loan to Norwich on hold.
Chelsea took the lead shortly after the break when Didier Drogba was fouled in the penalty area and Slovakia Under-18 international Miroslav Stoch converted the spot-kick.
Watford equalised with a good near-post finish but Spanish midfielder Sergio Tejera and James Simmonds made it 3-1 before Watford scored a late consolation goal.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will continue to monitor John Terry's knee injury with England's medical staff after the captain was ruled out of the European Championship qualifier with Estonia at Wembley on Saturday.
England are hopeful Terry could be fit for the trip to Russia next week and Chelsea are anxious he does not aggravate the injury further.
Terry's central defensive partner, Ricardo Carvalho, has scuppered suggestions he may be unsettled at Stamford Bridge after Jose Mourinho's shock exit.
Carvalho won the Champions League with Porto while Mourinho was in charge and was especially close to the self-styled 'Special One' during his time at Stamford Bridge.
But the Portugal international, preparing for his country's clash with Azerbaijan, declared: "I am always the same. What has happened at Chelsea is part of the past.
"In football, we have to be prepared for everything. What happens today, tomorrow already is not so. What I want is to develop as a player.
"At this moment, I'm not thinking about leaving Chelsea. The Chelsea players are prepared for everything and I'm convinced that we can have a successful season this year.
"Mourinho's exit is in the past and now it's important to live in the present."
