Following six weeks of the most intense footballing schedule of his coaching career, Graham Potter has been presented with another six weeks without a match at all. The Blues boss will have been left with a bitter taste after a third consecutive defeat following the 1-0 lost to Newcastle and plenty of time to dwell on it.
Following the game Potter said he hoped to use the break to allow the squad to 're-energise' and 'refocus'. Much of his squad will have the opportunity to forget about Chelsea as they travel to Qatar to represent their nation in the World Cup, although Kalidou Koulibaly plans to think about the Blues' current situation while he is there representing Senegal.
Potter will not waste the time available to him by putting Chelsea entirely out of his mind. Reflecting on what has gone and how they can improve will be key to how he spends his time.
READ MORE: Kalidou Koulibaly and Graham Potter agree on two things Chelsea desperately need after World Cup
"We are finding out what the players can do, what they are comfortable doing, where their strengths are, and how we can balance the team," said Potter.
"I'm pretty sure there will be loads of things that enter the head as we reflect. We need that time as we've been in that period of going game to game and trying to prepare the time. In the six weeks since the international break, it's been incredibly intense and incredibly challenging."
However, the period will be preceded by a break for the team, with only a small group left around Cobham before Potter and co return to 'rejuvenate, to recover, to reflect, to improve' having so far endured heading 'into the washing machine in terms of the games and the turnaround'.
The 47-year-old coach also plans to sit down with the likes of Todd Boehly to discuss the process so far ahead of the January transfer window to expand upon their usual discussions.
He explained: "Yes. I'm pretty sure we will. We have regular dialogue, so that's part of an ongoing process. Sometimes you need to reflect, to think, to analyse, and if you have the space to do it, it's better. But absolutely, we need to think about what's happened and what we need to do to improve."
Potter will further be handed the opportunity to reconnect with former Brighton colleague Paul Winstanley who has joined Chelsea as Director of Global Talent and Transfers. He joins a recruitment team that has already added Joe Shields and Laurence Stewart in recent weeks.
Along with Kyle Macauley, who will act as a conduit between the coaching team and recruitment staff and also arrived from the Seagulls, the head coach will have the opportunity to relay what he feels the squad will need moving forwards. With Winstanley's arrival deemed 'immediate', work will get underway swiftly.
Heading into the depths of the break, Potter will lead the team into a warm weather training camp before the Premier League makes its return. The Blues are expected to play a friendly during that period where they appear headed to Abu Dhabi.
READ NEXT:
Gary Neville criticism misplaced amid Todd Boehly's key Chelsea World Cup transfer mission
Chelsea loan latest as Colwill shines, Cumming sets record and two stars make World Cup squad
Paul Winstanley Chelsea role announced in boost to Todd Boehly transfer plans
Chelsea set to make millions from FIFA during World Cup that will pay off Graham Potter demands
Eden Hazard offered shock Premier League transfer after World Cup as Chelsea plot January deal
