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Chelsea: Where did everyone go on yet another crazy break?

By Travis Tyler

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: A sunset behind the corner flag inside the stadium ahead the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge on January 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: A sunset behind the corner flag inside the stadium ahead the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday at Stamford Bridge on January 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Mason Mount of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Reece James after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on March 04, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 04: Mason Mount of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Reece James after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield on March 04, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Phil Noble – Pool/Getty Images) /

Chelsea, like everyone else, has another international break on the way. No, it doesn’t make any more sense now than in November. Covid vaccines may be helping, but the current crisis is by no means over as players break their club bubbles to join international bubbles. Luckily, some cooler heads have prevailed with clubs, including Chelsea, holding on to some players who would be going to hot spots otherwise.

Also it won’t be much of a break at all. After playing catch up for the end of last season and cramming in the start of this season, the players are exhausted. The Euros and Copa America will be a Walking Dead reenactment but before then, this break will see many play in competitive games that further wear them down. And of course, none of that is to mention the loss of momentum for in form teams like Chelsea.

It’s not all doom and gloom of course. The break will give Thomas Tuchel a chance to start prepping for next season. He won’t really have enough players around to train so the ones that stayed behind will get a rest. And, silly as a break this season may be, some could use the change of scenery to refresh.

So, where did everyone go?

England: Mason Mount, Reece James, Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi (with the u21s)

England is going above and beyond with three matches this break, just to really tire out players ahead of the end of the season and the Euros. With matches against San Marino (25 March), Albania (28 March), and Poland (31 March), all World Cup qualifying, there will be no rest for the wicked.

Normally there wouldn’t be too much issue with any of these three teams but with the Euros coming next, Gareth Southgate will be heavily tempted to test out his tactics and lineups for the tournament. That means Mason Mount, the everyday man for Chelsea, is likely to play a lot for England too. Reece James and Ben Chilwell also have fair shouts though whether England uses fullbacks, wingbacks, and how they rotate both remains to be seen.

There is also the chance Callum Hudson-Odoi has to double up as well. The UEFA’s U21 Championship is starting this break with the group stages to be played this break. Switzerland (25 March), Portugal (28 March), and Croatia (31 March) are overlapping with the men’s team, but it would be very Southgate to pull Hudson-Odoi to the men’s team if England wins their first two matches.

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