Graham Potter plans to use the international break as an opportunity to "gain some freshness and recharge" ahead of the intense run of fixtures Chelsea face to complete their season.
The momentum built by three consecutive victories was checked at the weekend as the Blues were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Everton. It is a result that kept Potter's side 10th in the Premier League table and further dented Chelsea's chances of finishing in a European spot.
A top-four finish has become almost an impossibility for Chelsea, especially given the Blues still have away games against title-chasing Arsenal and Manchester City, a visit to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United, and home fixtures against top-four hopefuls Liverpool and Brighton.
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A Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid has also been added to Chelsea's schedule – and that ensures Potter's side will play at least 13 matches in April and May. It's why 47-year-old is hoping to use the current international break to mentally refresh.
"I will [have a break]," he said at the weekend. "I think that’s sensible because there is an intense period coming up; April and May will be heavy for us. So it’s important for me as the leader to gain some freshness and recharge, and to use the time well."
Potter added: "I’m probably going to close my eyes and sleep for a few hours – or try to! I’ll spend some time with the family and then we’ll see [what there is to do]."
The inevitable frustration felt after the draw with Everton will linger during the international break; it's not been a campaign in which disappointing results have been easily forgotten by supporters. Yet Chelsea did perform well for large spells against Sean Dyche's side and Potter believes progress is being made in what is a season of transition.
"Across the last two transfer windows, you are probably looking at a 20-plus player turnaround," the Chelsea boss explained. "So in terms of just stability, togetherness, and the spirit in the group, I think that’s been a real positive over this really tough period of weeks and months.
"It’s a unique season, and before the World Cup was crazy with the intensity of the games and the number of injuries. Then the transfer window has added more noise for us, but we’ve got a young group that’s coming together and forming together well. The performance [against Everton] was positive; Dortmund was positive. But there is still lots to do.”
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