There have been no shortage of issues arising from the World Cup being held in the middle of the season. Players and clubs have had to contend with shortened summers, compact fixture schedules, enduring workloads and questions of availability when domestic football returns.
Those who have not received international call-ups will have been able to enjoy a brief break before entering a pre-season of sorts, with Chelsea's stars returning to training on Tuesday. Planning will have been problematic with the return of those from the World Cup likely to be staggered depending on how far player's respective nations reach in the competition, and the Blues will head out to Abu Dhabi on Sunday, perhaps a little unsure who they will have to accommodate while out there.
Nevertheless, that is the hand Graham Potter and other coaches have been dealt for the time being. The 47-year-old is fortunate enough to have some key players still in the building and will hope to see injured stars such as Wesley Fofana and Reece James return in time for another crucial period, unburdened by the rigours of four weeks of tournament football.
