Steve Burr had a new face in his squad this morning when former England forward Michael Owen trained with the Blues.
Owen, who scored 40 times in 89 international appearances, now works as a pundit for BT Sport, who have exclusive live broadcast rights to the Vanarama Conference.
Ahead of the Blues opening game of the 2014-15 season this weekend, the ex-Liverpool favourite dropped into the club's training ground at MBNA headquarters on Chester Business Park.
Owen chatted with Burr about how his side were shaping up before dusting off his boots and taking part in training with the rest of the squad.
Although he retired at the end of the 2012-13 season, the 34-year-old, who lives between Northop and Sychdyn, showed some smart touches in the session.
Burr remains in the market for another centre forward and joked that he was hoping to sign the former Manchester United man.
Owen, who will be providing studio analysis when Blues face rivals Wrexham live on BT Sport on September 22, told The Chronicle he was impressed with quality of the squad and the club's new training base.
"It's a great facility down here and I think all the lads are really looking forward to getting started now with the new season," said Owen.
"They've done all their pre-season work and games, and now it's all about that first game at home to Barnet and it's looking good."
Owen's dad Terry played for the Blues between 1972 and 1977, helping them reach the League Cup semi finals and scoring in a win over Wrexham, and the ex-Hawarden High School pupil has followed the club since he was a boy.
Although he primarily covers the Premier League with BT Sport, Owen said he was looking forward to working on the Vanarama Conference clash with Wrexham on September 22.
"It's a big derby, it's a big local rivalry and we always like to see a little bit of rivalry, but nothing that goes over the top," said Owen.
"It's always been a big game. There's what 15 miles between the two stadiums I guess, and I live in plonk in the middle of both really.
"It's a big game, sell-out crowds, bragging rights and all the rest of it like most derbies but this one is particularly special.
"I've always followed Chester since my dad played for them in the glory years in many ways, when they reached the semi-final of the League Cup that he keeps telling me about, and that he scored a goal and that he was top scorer and they got promoted.
"It was really great times and obviously we'd love to see Chester back in the league and that's where we feel like we belong."
Chester have made 11 new signings since the end of last season and Owen reckons making a good start to the season against Barnet on Saturday is even more important than normal given the changes.
He said: "Because there's so many new players, there's a lot of confidence that we need to derive from the first few games and if we can get a good start then obviously that's a real bonus and that could set us up for the rest of the season.
"With so many changes, not to mention the change in manager as well, there's going to be a few questions before the big kick off and a good start is vital. If we can get that then we can look forward to an enjoyable season."
BT Sport will broadcast 30 games from the Vanarama Conference this season, starting with Grimsby Town's trip to Bristol Rovers on Saturday.
Owen believes non-league's top tier deserves more respect and reckons there is plenty of talent outside the Football League.
He said: "I think a lot of people, because they're so keen on the Premier League, can always just flippantly poo-poo the lower leagues but there is a lot of quality down here and I've always thought the same
"If you make a living out of playing football then you've obviously got a lot going for you and you've got a lot of talent, so yes it's fast and furious and physical down in the Conference but it needs to be to get out of the league, and I think there's a lot of good players at this level.
"Of course everyone wants to see the best players and the best pitches and the best stadiums, but I think there's a lot to be said for football lower down the pyramid as well and it's great to involved with BT."
BT Sport will show up to 30 exclusively live games from the Vanarama Conference this season including the promotion final at Wembley. BT Sport is free with BT broadband, to find out more visit www.btsport.com.
