International break could be a key turning point for Chelsea

With key players returning from injury and a good win against Crystal Palace, the international break has come at the perfect time for Chelsea.

Well, it seems a long while ago, but that was nice, wasn’t it? Compared to the chaotic stress of the rest of the Premier League weekend, Chelsea’s 4-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday felt like a crisp stroll in the park.

A pretty turgid first half was exchanged for a pretty tidy second, as Frank Lampard’s side helped themselves to four goals without ever having to really break stride. Ben Chilwell excelled, Edouard Mendy relaxed, Callum Hudson-Odoi surged and Jorginho capitalized. All in a good day’s work.

And that work could be about to get a whole lot better. Now, before going down this rose-tinted rabbit hole, it must be said that versions of this article have been written before this season. You know, the “best is yet to come”, “keep calm and carry on”, and the “new team who dis?” type. Because that is the undoubted theme of this campaign: can Frank Lampard gel this crop of clotted attacking cream together quickly enough to mount a competitive challenge? As the club’s Premier League points total shows, the results are not yet in.

And now the international break. And given the dearth of non-COVID-surprise-party content, it really is the international break. But that doesn’t mean the period can’t be cause for optimism. For one, Olivier Giroud has reminded us all of his considerable (and oft’ undermined) prowess, bagging a brace in his 100th game for France to leapfrog Michel Platini as Les Bleus’ second greatest scorer of all time. For two, Kai Havertz nabbed two assists for Germany as he continues to canter up to his full stride in the 2020/21 season.

Perhaps most importantly, at least for the Blues rather than Bleus, the break is the first time fans will be able to see Hakim Ziyech in action, with the Moroccan hoping to nestle some necessary minutes under his belt. Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic’s lack of international obligation will allow him a bit more rehabilitation, and a bit more tuition from Lampard.

In a very 2020 kind of way, these two weeks could be considered a quasi-preseason, a few weeks into the season. Of course, when the countries come calling, there’s always the (whisper it, then count your rosary beads) possibility of a poisoned chalice filled with pulled hamstrings, twisted ankles and tweaked thighs. Add a pre-existing pandemic into the mix and you’ve got one ungodly goblet.

But to concentrate on those things would be to deprive yourself of all positivity. The fact is, injuries permitting, this break allows the team to further their own personal fitness and form for the coming months while gifting Lampard increased inspection of his players in different systems.

Because perhaps the biggest complaint of Blues fans thus far has been the lack of a clear identity and style in this year’s side. They seem to be between molds, between improving their attacking fluidity and shoring up their defensive shortcomings. Instilling a clear tactical plan is the primary job of any manager, and so far Lampard seems unsettled. Thankfully, the Palace game offered a nice look at a would-be settled back four, with Ben Chilwell not coasting as his predecessors have done and Thiago Silva’s nous curbing Kurt Zouma’s erratic side.

If this is maintained and calcified, it will go a great way to giving Edouard Mendy the platform of confidence he needs, and vice versa. And if that can be achieved, you can bet the frontline finesse won’t be far behind. Timing is key when it comes to those split-second decisions to stick or twist with the ball on the edge of the box, and that comes with time in the legs and confidence in the mind.

The two players who seem most likely to embody those two qualities come the return of club football would be Ziyech and Pulisic. Don’t be surprised if their long-awaited appearances, in a starting XI that little be sharper, coincides with a shift in fortunes.