With the World Cup well underway and the second round of group matches almost complete, it is already almost time to turn attention back to club football. Graham Potter and his side were handed a break for the start of the competition but the time is upon Chelsea to return and reflect to find some form ready for the Premier League getting underway once again.
Of course, the four-week period of the World Cup has been set aside for a number of Potter’s plans with the Blues. The 47-year-old head coach intended to have discussions with the club’s owners ahead of January, while he expects his side to ‘rejuvenate, to recover, to reflect, to improve’.
That process will get underway in earnest of the coming week as Chelsea are expected to return to first team training on November 29th before flying out to Abu Dhabi for a warm weather training camp on Sunday December 4th. The likes of Trevoh Chalobah will be head into training fresh off of extending his contract but Tuesday could offer a direct insight into Chelsea’s lengthy injury list.
Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Ben Chilwell and Kepa Arrizabalaga all missed the World Cup at least partially through injury, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek picked up an injury in the Blues’ final match before the break against Newcastle. Chilwell, who picked up a hamstring injury against Dinamo Zagreb, has already pictured himself working on a treadmill as he looks to get back to fitness.
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Potter will hope he has at least some of that group to pick from in time for Chelsea’s trip to the United Arab Emirates where they will face Aston Villa competing for the CBF | Al Wahda Challenge Cup on Sunday December 11th, at the unusual kick-off time of 6.10pm.
With plenty of players still likely to be in World Cup action come departure day for Abu Dhabi, it is not unthinkable that some of Chelsea’s young talent will be in contention to make the trip. Lewis Hall has deputised in Chilwell’s absence and impressed against both Manchester City and Newcastle United, while Omari Hutchinson is found himself in matchday squads for Brighton and against the Magpies, though he is yet to make it onto the pitch.
There will be a key decision to make on how many youngsters to take on the trip to ensure the correct numbers for the first team, as the Villa friendly is quickly followed by competitive action for the Blues’ Under-21s side. Having despatched Peterborough United 4-2, a result that included an outstanding Cesare Casadei goal, Chelsea’s youngster are now set to face Cheltenham Town the week beginning December 12th.
