Three things to look for as Chelsea seeks Super Cup redemption

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Chelsea’s English midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi (L) sends a shot over the bar during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park in south London on April 10, 2021. – RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

3. Eyes on the season proper

Football is truly back because Chelsea will only have two days between games again. After playing the Super Cup in Belfast, the Blues will quickly return to London for their Premier League opener against Crystal Palace. One match has a trophy on the line, but the other will be important to starting the season off right (especially with the rough run the club has to start with).

So, just as Tuchel has to juggle who is fit and who isn’t, he’ll also have to juggle a quick turnaround between the two matches. Luckily, the squad is very deep and the club should have enough in the tank to beat both Villareal and Palace while rotating heavily. At the same time, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tuchel make a lot of changes. In part because he can and in part because he will want to keep everyone as fresh as possible for as long as possible.

Last season was long. Not only did the Blues play a ton of matches, but the season started quickly after the last season ended. In addition, many of the main players also went straight from the Champions League win to international competitions. Fatigue, mental and physical, is bound to remain for some players.

The coming season is bound to be just as long if not longer. Chelsea has the additional Super Cup match, but also the Club World Cup on the horizon and (hopefully) several deep cup runs in the tank. Furthermore, with the World Cup splitting the 2022/2023 season in half, many international matches will be squeezed in sooner to accommodate. It wouldn’t be surprising (though it would be incredibly stupid) to see international breaks regularly feature three matches all season. Some players like Mount may have engines that let them go and go, but that doesn’t mean they should.

Tuchel can get the Blues off to a solid start while rotating heavy between the two matches. This should be a season where a “best XI” is a rarity because the rotation is constant. The squad is deep enough now that almost everyone should be looking at 25 or more starts throughout the season. That process begins with the Super Cup and the quick turnaround to Palace.

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