Profiling Chelsea's Pre-Season Opponents Ahead of Upcoming Summer Tour of East Asia

​Chelsea have departed for their three-game pre-season tour of east Asia as preparations begin in earnest for the defence of the Premier League title and the return of Champions League football to the schedule in 2017/18.

Here's a rundown of the opponents lined up, and where the new signings so far might fit in.

Watch the Arsenal game on Chelsea TV here.

Arsenal - 22nd July

Image by Harris Freedman

Bird's Nest Stadium, Beijing

In a repeat of last season's FA Cup final and a preview of August's Community Shield, Chelsea will face Arsenal in an exhibition game in Beijing's iconic Bird's Nest Stadium.

It will give eager fans in China a chance to see an unofficial Premier League up close.

Despite losing at Wembley, Chelsea still hold the bragging rights after lifting the Premier League title in May, with a victory over the Gunners in February an important step towards that feat. One could also argue the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal in September was a turning point in Chelsea's 2016/17 as it prompted a key tactical shift from Antonio Conte to the 3-4-3 formation.

It is worth noting that this will be Chelsea's first pre-season game, while Arsenal will have already played three by the time the London rivals meet and are likely to be fitter as a result.

Bayern Munich - 25th July

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 20: Carlo Ancelotti, Manager of Bayern Muenchen celebrates winning the 67th German Championship title on the town hall balcony at Marienplatz on May 20, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Alexandra Beier/GettyImages

Singapore National Stadium, Kallang

After China will come the Singapore leg of the summer tour and Chelsea's first ever trip to the wealthy city-state nation.

The first of two International Champions Cup (ICC) games in the Singapore National Stadium, located in the Kallang district, will be played against reigning German champions Bayern Munich, marking a reunion with former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Chelsea haven't faced Bayern in any capacity in four years, since meeting the Bavarian giants in the 2013 UEFA Super Cup. Bayern prevailed on penalties that night after a 2-2 draw in Prague, which came just under 15 months after Chelsea had won in a shootout when the two met in the 2012 Champions League final in Munich's own Allianz Arena.

Inter Milan - 29th July

Inter Milan's forward from Argentina Mauro Icardi celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A football match Inter Milan vs AC Milan at the San Siro stadium in Milan on April 15, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)

GIUSEPPE CACACE/GettyImages

Singapore National Stadium

An Inter Milan desperate for a better season in 2017/18 than they've enjoyed in recent years will be Chelsea's second opponent in the ICC and third and final game of the summer in late July before the Community Shield back in England on Sunday 6th August.

Chelsea's only two competitive meetings with Inter to date came in the last 16 of the 2009/10 Champions League when the Nerazzurri were on their way to capturing the trophy as part of an historic treble - the Italians, led by Jose Mourinho at the time, won 3-1 on aggregate.

The two clubs have met since in a friendly capacity, though, contesting an ICC game in the summer of 2013, which Chelsea won 2-0 in America thanks to goals from Oscar and Eden Hazard.

New Faces

Chelsea have left for the Far East, but new £34m signing Antonio Rudiger will be joining the squad late after being away with Germany at the Confederations Cup until earlier this month.

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Antonio Ruediger of Germany looks on during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Final between Chile and Germany at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/GettyImages

The centre-back needs time to rest and recuperate and will begin his pre-season in Singapore.

Goalkeeper Willy Caballero is another confirmed signing and will be on the plane to China in his new role as back-up to Thibaut Courtois. The Argentine's free agent arrival marks good business for Chelsea after selling Asmir Begovic to Bournemouth for around £10m.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Willy Caballero of Manchester City celebrates a goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion at Etihad Stadium on May 16, 2017 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Clive Mason/GettyImages

Tiemoue Bakayoko has also joined the club. His move was competed July 15th and although he has already joined the club's training sessions, he will not be joining the club on their Asia tour.