World Cup Break Can Aid Chelsea Turnaround
After a difficult run of results, it looks like the World Cup break might have come at a good time for Graham Potter’s Chelsea squad.
Still, a team settling in under their new manager, the break gives Potter the chance to work closely with his players on tactics ahead of a big push in the new year.
Break Came At A Good Time
With four defeats in their last five games in all competitions before the World Cup, it looks like a much-needed break came at the right time for Chelsea. Having previously had a nine-match unbeaten run, the Blues hit a rough patch following a 4-1 defeat at Potter’s former club Brighton. Some of the best premium tipsters would have correctly expected Chelsea to respond and they did just that with a 2-1 win in the Champions League over Dinamo Zagreb, although booking bets and other specific areas such as shots are increasingly becoming the market of choice for football tipsters.
The Dinamo Zagreb win was followed by three consecutive defeats against Chelsea and Newcastle United in the Premier League and Manchester City in the League Cup. It was a tough run of fixtures in the build-up to the World Cup break but Potter would have still wanted his side to get more from those games.
Injuries have certainly not helped Chelsea’s cause over the past few months, with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Reece James having spells out on the sidelines. All four players travelled out with the rest of the Chelsea squad to continue receiving treatment at the Blues’ training camp in Abu Dhabi. A chance to take in some warmer weather and work on tactics ahead of the return of the Premier League action, the trip to Abu Dhabi will have done the squad some good before the tough schedule to follow.
Blues Need To Find Rhythm
After that difficult spell of results, it’s vital Chelsea start to find some consistency in their performances or run the risk of missing out on a top-four finish. A daunting 16 points separated Chelsea from Premier League frontrunners Arsenal at the start of the World Cup break, meaning a shot at the title looks to be ambitious to say the least this season. However, Chelsea must look to secure a top-four finish and make sure they are once again competing against Europe’s best in the Champions League next season.
Having the break for the World Cup will give vital time for first-team players to recover from injury ahead of the busy festive period. While Chelsea’s stars who featured at the World Cup will be hoping the experience in Qatar gives them a lift ahead of a return to club duties. After an early exit from the World Cup, Germany’s Kai Havertz and other Chelsea stars have made a return to the club. Getting those players settled back in the squad will be key ahead of a crucial spell of the season for the Blues.
Hitting the ground running after the World Cup break is the goal and time will tell if the pause in the Premier League season came at the right time for Potter’s Chelsea.
