Chelsea stars Willian, Ramires and Kenedy are all smiles as they make early trip to Israel ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv clash

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Chelsea's first team stars made their way to Israel on Sunday afternoon
Willian posted a selfie with compatriots Ramires and Kenedy on plane
Gary Cahill has played down fears ahead of his side's match in Israel
Six Chelsea players decided against travelling to Israel back in 2001

Published: 11:46 EST, 22 November 2015 | Updated: 06:24 EST, 23 November 2015

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Chelsea are heading for Israel as they look to get preparations for their clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv underway early, fresh from Saturday’s 1-0 win over Norwich City.

The Blues can qualify for the second round of the Champions League if results go their way on Tuesday, and Jose Mourinho is taking no chances when it comes to making sure his team are ready.

A typical itinerary for European games sees Chelsea fly out the day before the game but an extra 24 hours will be spent in Israel on this occasion to help the players recover from the five-hour flight.

Willian (far right) takes a selfie with Ramires (third left), Kenedy (far left) and sports therapist Marcelo Ribeiro (top) as Chelsea make their way to Israel

Chelsea full back Cesar Azpilicueta boards the team coach as he gets set to make his way to Israel

Premier League champions Chelsea are second in Group G after two wins from their first four games

Willian (left) congratulates Diego Costa (right) following the Chelsea striker's winning goal against Norwich

Brazil winger Willian posted a photo with team-mates Ramires and Kenedy in their Champions League training gear before take-off in London.

Chelsea sit second on seven points in Group G behind leaders Porto and ahead of Dynamo Kiev who have 10 and five points respectively.

Maccabi are the group’s whipping boys having conceded 11 goals while scoring just one – and claiming no points - in the opening four rounds of fixtures.

The Barclays Premier League champions will be heavily-backed favourites on Tuesday night in Haifa, even considering their patchy domestic form.

And Gary Cahill, who was an unused substitute in the win over Norwich, says Chelsea’s players do not have concerns about the security situation in Israel.

A stabbing in Tel Aviv last week saw two people killed and tensions remain high amid the ongoing conflict with Palestine.

When Chelsea last played in Israel in 2001, six players chose not to travel in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks in the United States.

Six Chelsea players decided against flying to Israel when Chelsea last played there back in 2001 - Boudewijn Zenden (left) and Gianfranco Zola (right) both travelled

Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Hapoel Tel Aviv as they were without William Gallas, Marcel Desailly, Albert Ferrer, Emmanuel Petit, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Graeme Le Saux

William Gallas, Marcel Desailly, Albert Ferrer, Emmanuel Petit, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Graeme Le Saux stayed at home at the Blues lost 2-0 to Hapoel Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup.

Cahill said: ‘You just rely on people who know a hell of a lot more than me about the whole situation to make sensible decisions.

‘We have played in the right manner against France on the international stage and the security was fantastic from what we saw, so the decision was right.’

The centre back hopes a victory over Maccabi will setup a showdown for top spot with Porto at Stamford Bridge next month.

‘If we win there we have Porto at home to see who could end up top,’ he said.

‘It’s important that we do as well as we possibly can in that competition given our slow start in the league. Of course, we’re looking for things to pick up.’