Here we are then. Another international break. Yes, another one.
Fortunately, though, the final one. Of 2024, at least. A two-week period where club football takes the back-seat but for a lot of supporters, there is an agonising wait until the break is over and they get to see their clubs doing their thing once again.
And, considering the start to the season Chelsea have had, that is no different for Blues supporters. Over the past couple of seasons, there may have been times where supporters of Chelsea will have relished the international break – to put them out of their pain and misery for a two-week period of time.
However, the feel-good factor at Stamford Bridge is back and we have Enzo Maresca, largely, to thank for that. There was some scepticism when the Italian was appointed in the summer. Yes, he won the Championship title with Leicester City and did so playing an attractive brand of football, but he was unproven as a manager, or in this case a head coach.
Maresca, though, has worked wonders with Chelsea thus far. Sitting third in the Premier League after 11 matches and top of the UEFA Conference League table after three, it has been a hell of a start for the 44-year-old coach.
Once the break is over, things will become really spicy for the Chelsea boss. The November to January run of fixtures are a real test for anyone in football. It stretches out the squad to its full extent and challenges everybody involved within the football club.
While the majority of his squad are currently spread all around the world on international duty with their respective countries, Maresca and his staff will continue to do their work at Cobham. And, with that being said, football.london takes a look at the dream international break from a Chelsea point of view…
Palmer fitness
Up until 3:15pm on Sunday, there were massive question marks over Cole Palmer from the outside world. After hurting his knee against Manchester United seven days prior, there were doubts over whether the 22-year-old would be fit enough to take on Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.
After a late fitness test on Saturday, however, the club gave Maresca the go-ahead to start Palmer. If Palmer was at even 80% of his full fitness, there would have been some temptation from Maresca’s end to start the man who has become such an integral player for the Blues since signing for the club in the summer of 2023.
Palmer was initially called up to the England squad for their Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland but has since been withdrawn, alongside Levi Colwill. While Palmer is not injured as such, the club are certainly concerned about his fitness.
Over the next fortnight, Palmer will now get the chance to work closely with his club teammates and Maresca. The fact that he will be resting for these first few days as well will do his body the world of good ahead of a physically and mentally demanding period of the season.
Keeping all the players fit
Chelsea have 15 first-team players out on international duty at the moment and will be determined to get them all back to Cobham next week in peak condition. So far under the tutelage of Maresca, the Blues have done really well in an injury sense.
A few problems to the likes of Jadon Sancho, Romeo Lavia and Reece James have occurred but that is about it. Notably, anyway.
After what was a torrid season injury-wise last time around under Mauricio Pochettino, whatever Maresca is doing differently is clearly working. However, with a really busy schedule on the horizon, the Italian will be desperate to see his players return fit and available for when the head coach returns to Leicester City in 10 days’ time.
Defensive work
While the likes of Renato Veiga, Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella are both away on international duty, Chelsea still have a good number of first-team defenders back at Cobham. James, along with Colwill, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Wesley Fofana remain with their club during the break.
For Maresca, one thing he has not quite got right during his time as Chelsea head coach is the side’s defending. In the Premier League, the Blues are without a clean sheet since the 3-0 win at West Ham United on September 21.
It is not an easy issue to solve and it is not made any easier with some players not at Cobham, but perhaps this two-week period is a good opportunity for Maresca and his staff to work on how Chelsea need to approach games defensively.
