Graham Potter will be hoping that time can be a big healer for his Chelsea squad as 12 of his men travel to Qatar for the 2022 winter World Cup.
The new boss had to deal without five key players in the final weeks of the domestic schedule before the six week break and may well see several stars return by the time Chelsea play again, against Bournemouth on December 27.
Of those injured, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and N'Golo Kante all missed out on almost certain World Cup spaces whereas Wesley Fofana and Kepa Arrizabalaga were both fighting for positions with their country. Although Kante and Chilwell both face longer periods on the touchline it's likely that James, Fofana and Kepa are all back in contention to face Bournemouth.
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This would pose as a huge boost for Potter after seeing his side pick-up just two points from the last five league games, losing three in a row. The addition of those players would also provide a more accurate base for what Chelsea are building towards. Cesar Azpilicueta has been a great servant to the club, but three games per week is too much for him and he doesn't have the pace or skill to be a top end wingback, Thiago Silva needs the pace of Fofana around him and James is arguably the best player at the club.
There is fear that the 12 that are playing in Qatar may bring back their own fitness and fatigue issues though, especially with Mateo Kovacic and Kalidou Koulibaly both struggling in recent weeks with knocks from earlier in the season.
If it is the case that Chelsea do go back into action with more concerns then Potter may be forced to look for answers in the transfer market. Not only do they have promising 19-year-old Levi Colwill currently on loan at Brighton, with the youngster not playing as much as he would like, Todd Boehly is planning an expansive January window anyway.
On top of perusing a group of midfielders and possible elite attackers, if the defensive issues should get worse, 90 min reports that Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres is someone on the radar at SW6. The 25-year-old will be in Qatar himself as part of Luis Enrique's squad.
The defender was sounded out as an option for both Manchester United and Tottenham over the summer with left-footed centre-backs a premium market option at the moment. As Chelsea play with a back three and require players to fill the outside centre-back spots, Torres could be the answer.
Torres is out of contract in 2024 but with attention on him, Villarreal could be persuaded to part with him early, and for less than the initial £55m. It is said that £40m would be enough to prize him away from the Yellow Submarine. Given the high-end attention in him and the need for defenders at Stamford Bridge, if he comes out of Qatar unscathed, it may be the piece of business that Potter needs.
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