With the 2022 World Cup set to get underway on Sunday, most of Chelsea's stars have already departed to prepare for the tournament, and the remaining members of Graham Potter's first-team squad will be ready to take a brief break.
The Blues head coach has six weeks to re-energise and reflect on the opening months of his time as Chelsea boss and to turn around the club's form in time for the Premier League's return after Christmas. However, while the Chelsea first team may not be in action until December 27th, a number of players on the books will not be afforded the same time.
Of course, 15 Chelsea players will be in attendance at the World Cup and representing their nations, including members of the loan army, Romelu Lukaku, Ethan Ampadu and Baba Rahman, who have joined up with Belgium, Wales and Ghana squads. However, for a number of loan stars, it will be close to business as usual.
READ MORE: Chelsea and Manchester United target Endrick outlines dream transfer plan
As such, football.london has taken a look at which Chelsea players will be in action and the dates for supporters to keep in mind should they wish to keep an eye on those hoping to forge a career with the Blues.
Championship
Those players in the Championship will receive a small break but return to action in the week commencing December 5th. That will see Nathan Baxter, Xavi Simons and Harvey Vale (all Hull City), Ian Maatsen (Burnley), Dujon Sterling (Stoke City) and Tino Anjorin (Huddersfield Town) all playing during the World Cup. Sterling will hope the brief break can help him recover from a knock, while it will afford Anjorin more time to recover from illness too.
Fixtures to note:
Stoke City vs Cardiff December 10th
Sheffield United vs Huddersfield December 10th
Watford vs Hull December 11th
QPR vs Burnley December 11th
Bristol City vs Stoke December 17th
Huddersfield vs Watford December 17th
Hull vs Sunderland December 17th
Burnley vs Middlesbrough December 17th
Manchester United (Carabao Cup) December 21st
League One and below
However, there is no break in League One, Two or the National League, meaning supporters could find plenty of entertainment there. Lucas Bergstrom (Peterborough United) is even set to face Chelsea's under-21 side in the Papa John's Trophy next week. Jamie Cumming and Henry Lawrence (MK Dons), and Bryan Fiabema (Forest Green) will also be in action in League One, while Sam McClelland (Barrow) and Jayden Wareham (Leyton Orient) will be hoping to make an impact in League Two. Ethan Wady will be hoping for his National League debut at Woking too.
Fixtures to take note of:
Salford vs Peterborough (FA Cup) November 16th
Woking vs Oxford United (FA Cup) November 16th
Bristol Rovers vs Peterborough November 19th
Barnsley vs MK Dons November 19th
Oxford vs Forest Green November 19th
Barrow vs Hartlepool November 19th
Stockport vs Leyton Orient November 19th
Woking vs Altrincham November 19th
Peterborough vs Chelsea (Papa John's) November 22nd
MK Dons vs Newport (Papa John's) November 22nd
Forest Green vs Cheltenham (Papa John's) November 22nd
Bolton vs Barrow (Papa John's) November 22nd
Portsmouth vs MK Dons (FA Cup) November 26th
Forest Green vs Alvechurch (FA Cup) November 26th
Peterborough vs Barnsley December 2nd
Stevenage vs Barrow December 2nd
MK Dons vs Burton December 3rd
Forest Green vs Cambridge United December 3rd
Leyton Orient vs Bradford December 3rd
Woking vs Maidstone December 3rd
Ipswich vs Peterborough December 10th
MK Dons vs Fleetwood December 10th
Carlisle vs Barrow December 10th
Forest Green vs Cheltenham December 10th
Crewe Alexandra vs Leyton Orient December 10th
Woking vs York December 10th
Scunthorpe vs Woking December 13th
Peterborough vs Shrewsbury December 17th
Portsmouth vs MK Dons December 17th
Barrow vs Swindon Town December 17th
Derby County vs Forest Green December 17th
Leyton Orient vs Sutton December 17th
MK Dons vs Leicester (Carabao Cup) December 20th
Chesterfield vs Woking December 20th
READ NEXT:
Timo Werner heartbreak, Marcos Alonso surprise and Chelsea vindicated over contract termination
Chelsea get Stamford Bridge development update delivered as Earl's Court company confirm plans
Christopher Nkunku sends injury message as £50m Chelsea transfer target Ivan Toney gets FA charge
Full list of Chelsea transfer targets going to Qatar 2022 World Cup amid Boehly scouting mission
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge