The World Cup break is coming at a good time for both Chelsea and Graham Potter. Injuries have mounted in recent weeks, and the Blues' form in the Premier League has suffered as a result. And that has seen Potter come under extreme criticism from those within the club's fanbase.
"I ended up here pretty quickly and have been in the washing machine in terms of the games and the turnaround," Potter admitted ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash against Newcastle United. "You have to deal with all that is going on and the number of matches you play.
"You do need time to reflect – and there is that time because of the World cup break. It would be stupid of me not to do that; to rejuvenate, to recover, to reflect, to improve."
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Chelsea's first task is to overcome Newcastle at St James' Park tomorrow evening, although that will certainly not be easy with Eddie Howe's side third in the Premier League table and unbeaten in ten matches.
Only after the clash in the northeast can Potter decompress. football.london understands that the first-team players not going to the World Cup and not currently sidelined are set to be given two-and-a-half weeks off. They will then regroup at Cobham before undertaking a warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi next month.
It's hoped two friendlies will be played before Chelsea return to action on December 27 against Bournemouth – and there will certainly be more members of the first-team squad around than originally anticipated.
The hope is the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga (foot), Reece James (knee) and Wesley Fofana (knee), and Carney Chukwuemeka (hamstring) will have returned from injury before the Premier League restarts. Ben Chilwell should have also progressed in his recovery from a hamstring injury, but no comeback date has yet to be set. N'Golo Kante (hamstring) isn't expected back until February.
Trevoh Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be in training as neither were selected by England manager Gareth Southgate. It was the same story for Marcu Cucurella with Spain. Jorginho, meanwhile, will enjoy a much-needed break as Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Potter will also be able to work with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Armando Broja. Several members of the Development Squad, including standout talents Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson, may also be given an opportunity to catch the eye with a number of first-team players absent.
First-team players not going to the World Cup
Goalkeepers: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Marcus Bettinelli
Defenders: Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell
Midfielders: Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Carney Chukwuemeka
Forwards: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Armando Broja
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