Vallejo pins extra importance on 'battery charging' pre-season workouts

Julen Lopetegui is overseeing his first training sessions as Real Madrid coach this week and Jesus Vallejo believes their work now will be key further down the line of the new season.

With the World Cup participating players still on holiday, the early days of pre-season also allow for the centre-back to impress his new boss in a quieter environment.

"The season is being approached in a very exciting way and something important that we must do is to mentally prepare ourselves from now on," he stated to official Madrid media.

"These first training sessions, when it seems that we are very far from the season and the titles, are very important because they are the ones that charge the legs and our batteries for the season.

"At the moment everyone is happy to do pre-season here in Valdebebas. It is positive because we have a large facility at our disposal."

Last season counted as Vallejo's breakthrough into the Madrid ranks and doing so while winning titles counted as a very positive campaign in his books.

"I am happy that, each time I played or trained, I gave my maximum and tried to help my teammates as much as I could," noted Vallejo.

"And of course [I am happy with] the titles we won and especially the Champions League, which was so special for all of us."