Thomas Tuchel has told his Chelsea players to expect a ‘tough’ winter period where they will be ‘pushed to the limit’ both physically and mentally.
Chelsea appear to have kicked on from their Champions League success last season and sit three points clear of second-placed Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after 11 games.
The Blues hit a slight bump in the road as they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to lowly Burnley last weekend, but will be brimming with confidence after going eight matches in all competitions without tasting defeat.
However, Tuchel is aware that major challenges are in store for his squad and has therefore decided to give those players not selected by their respective countries some time off to ‘recharge the batteries’ this week.
The west London giants will hope to get back to winning ways when their top-flight campaign resumes away to Leicester the weekend after next.
‘Looking at the fixtures in December and January, it’s a lot,’ Chelsea head coach Tuchel told the club’s official website.
‘The World Cup is coming and the international break travels so we decided here to give staff one week off completely and to give everybody the chance to recover also mentally and to recharge the batteries.
‘December will be tough, January will be tough and it will continue like this so no more breaks [after that] and we want to push the team to the limit.
‘That’s why we use the time now after the game to rest.’
Tuchel has been using the short break to spend time with his family and catch up on some sleep.
‘I have two lovely daughters who deserve my attention and time and it’s the best distraction to take care of them,’ the German added.
‘They’re in school so it seems like I will be here all year round.
‘But with my dog and with my daughters it’s nice to disconnect and sit a lot and sleep a lot on the couch.’
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