Andrea Pirlo meets Chelsea stars as Italy legend takes in training session... while Joe and Ashley Cole return to former club to work on their fitness

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Andrea Pirlo has been checking out Chelsea in training this week — but Antonio Conte says his countryman’s visit was just for pleasure, rather than business.

Pirlo, 37, watched a session at Chelsea’s Cobham training base on Friday to set tongues wagging about a potential role on Conte’s coaching staff.

The New York City playmaker is in London during the winter break from Major League Soccer and was pictured with captain John Terry, fellow midfielder Cesc Fabregas and reserve keeper Asmir Begovic.

John Terry poses with Andrea Pirlo (right) as the Italian visited Chelsea's training ground

Cesc Fabregas also took the opportunity to capture the moment with the World Cup winner

The veteran midfielder also joined reserve keeper Asmir Begovic for a picture

Pirlo, accompanied by his son (left), watches a training session at Cobham

The World Cup winner visited Chelsea after hearing good things from Frank Lampard

Conte is a close friend of the Italian pass master, with Pirlo crediting the Chelsea boss with his late-career form while they were at Juventus together.

But Conte says Pirlo will be returning to New York to continue his American adventure, rather than jumping ship to Stamford Bridge to join his coaching staff or to play in an unlikely loan move.

‘I'm pleased for this visit because Andrea was my player in Juventus for three years and we won together. I remember him as a great player,’ Conte said.

‘He played great football with Juventus in these three years. I'm very happy for his visit with his son here. We have a good relationship and I'm pleased for this.

‘No (don't read anything into it) — Andrea came here only to visit. He has another year of contract in America, and he's playing and enjoying his football in America.

Antonio Conte played down the possibility of Pirlo joining his coaching staff

The 37 year-old Italy legend played under Conte during their time together at Juventus

Pirlo is expected to play a final season with New York City FC before retirement

‘He was here only to see, but he's still able to do a good training session himself.’

Pirlo has heard plenty about Chelsea from former New York City team-mate Frank Lampard in the past year and took the opportunity to visit while in London on his holidays.

He is expected to play another year in MLS before retiring, which could open up an opportunity to reunite with Conte in future.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have had some more familiar faces at Cobham this week, with former players Ashley Cole and Joe Cole back training with the club.

The two Coles, both now plying their trade Stateside, have been working to keep up their fitness in the American off-season.

Former Blues Ashley Cole (left) and Joe Cole are training at Cobam during the MLS off-season

Ashley, 35, now plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer while Joe, also 35, is at the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the second-division North American Soccer League.

Having played key roles in the trophy-laden Roman Abramovich years at Stamford Bridge, the pair would have enjoyed a reunion with former team-mates at the club’s Surrey HQ.

Midfielder Michael Essien is another former Blue who has been present at Cobham, working on his own fitness issues as he stands without a club.

All three can count current players John Terry and John Mikel Obi as former team-mates, while the likes of Paulo Ferreira and Carlo Cudicini are still working at the club.

Michael Essien is another Chelsea alumni who has been welcomed back at the club

Both Coles have contracts in the States lasting through the 2017 season.

Andrea Pirlo was another visitor at Cobham this week, although he was simply visiting manager Antonio Conte rather than training.

New York City midfielder Pirlo played under Conte in their vastly-successful shared spell at Juventus.