Thomas Tuchel has ordered his players to recharge their batteries before their fixture pile-up starts again.
Chelsea boss Tuchel gave the players a two day break last week and says he will give them a week off before a gruelling run of games and schedule resumes in February.
The mini winter break is followed by Plymouth in the FA Cup, a week-long trip to Abu Dhabi for the Club World Cup, Crystal Palace in the Premier League, a Champions League tie with Lille and then the Carabao Cup final.
Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has admitted it has been a “difficult” schedule and the club even took the unusual step of printing how many more games they have played than all of their rivals in the match day programme on Sunday.
Chelsea revealed they had played 19 games in 61 days since the November international break - one more since they beat Tottenham on Sunday - which is two more than Liverpool, three more than West Ham and, crucially, four more than Manchester City.
It is little wonder that Chelsea have looked tired and jaded in recent games, why they have fallen behind in the title race but now the win over Tottenham must give them a lift, change the mood and get them back in the groove for a make-or-break February.
Despite Chelsea’s poor recent form in the Premier League - just one win in seven before the Spurs game - their relentless pursuit of silverware under Tuchel means they remain completely convinced in him for the long term and on course for more cups.
They have come through a gruelling period, Tuchel has not hidden his frustrations at both the fixture list and the lack of help from the Premier League in terms of Chelsea not getting a game off at Wolves while other clubs did get matches postponed despite having fewer Covid cases.
But now Chelsea’s win over Tottenham - and Hakim Ziyech’s wonder goal which started it all - might just be a hugely significant moment in the season.
Hudson-Odoi said: “‘It’s been difficult. We’ve had to rest less and play more. We know games come thick and fast and they are very challenging.
“Sometimes the rest hasn’t been enough for us but at the same time, we have to get on with it and play every game as well as we can do.”
Hudson-Odoi has been credit with the assist for Ziyech’s incredible strike against Tottenham, a hit from outside the box with so much curl and whip that it completely fooled even Hugo Lloris, one of the best keepers in the world.
Hudson-Odoi added: “I am really happy for him (Ziyech) as the goal itself was an amazing finish. I told him that as soon as he shot, I knew it was in. I could just tell.
“I won’t take a lot of the credit as it was an amazing goal. I am happy for him because he deserved a goal for his performance. It was a big game and big rivalry, so we’re delighted to get the three points. I am happy and smiling!”
