The looming international break will pick Chelsea’s XI v Burnley

Thomas Tuchel is well aware of the effects of fatigue on his Chelsea side. On some level, he sees his own influence in that but it is probably that which he can’t control that is most frustrating. Since international breaks resumed, they have been shoving in more and more matches and no one really seems to notice anymore. Between World Cup Qualifiers, Nations League, the Euros, Gold Cup, Copa America, and the Africa Cup of Nations to come, the players are getting run into the ground. And that’s before the World Cup takes place next winter and before talks of a two year World Cup march on despite obvious arguments against.

Chelsea is already in the midst of a minor injury crisis. Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner have both been out for some time. N’Golo Kante has been feeling muscle tightness as of late. Mason Mount has become sick, which isn’t an injury but if the body is fatigued, it’s already easier to get sick. Add in multiple minor things here and there and the winter will be truly harsh on players’ bodies.

The coming international break may force Thomas Tuchel’s hand more than most. Burnley is beatable, but Tuchel may have to pick an XI with the break in mind.

The keeper position will be the least of his worries for now. Even if Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga are both called up, keepers are able to play the entirety of a season if need be. The biggest concern is the mental fatigue accumulated through travel. Although, it may not be the worst idea to give Arrizabalaga more time on the pitch as the Blues prepare to rely on him during AFCON.

The back three is also of little concern because Tuchel’s done a very good job of rotating back there. That’s good given all but Malang Sarr and maybe Trevoh Chalobah will be called up. Germany and Denmark have already qualified for the World Cup, so Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger could get a vacation though it is doubtful. Thiago Silva is perhaps the biggest concern overall, but that’s a concern for the end of the break. CONEMBOL has been holding their matches late into the window and if Silva is called up he is sure to miss the first match back. But, overall, Tuchel can be free to choose as he likes here.

From there, things get trickier. Virtually everyone capable of playing wingback, bar maybe Callum Hudson-Odoi, are sure to be called up. As the most physically demanding position, that’s less than ideal. So, it makes sense to go with who has the most gas in the tank and right now that is probably Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso. Hardly the ideal pairing and it’s not even certain Reece James or Ben Chilwell would play if called up, but better safe than sorry.

Midfield will also be somewhat tricky. Kante might be fit in time for Burnley but ideally Chelsea plays up that injury and keeps him at Cobham over the break (editor’s note: nope, he was called up by Didier Deschamps in his infinite wisdom) . Mateo Kovacic may miss out regardless which leaves Saul Niguez, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Jorginho. Burnley may be a big ask for Saul given how he’s been doing, but Jorginho is sure to be used heavily over break. Loftus-Cheek might also be called up so this is a tricky selection.

The front three almost starts to solve itself with Werner and Lukaku out injured. Not unlike Kante, it may benefit Chelsea to play up Christian Pulisic’s recovery (not that it will likely matter to Gregg Berhalter and the USMNT facing their own injury crisis of sorts with qualification not assured yet). Mount’s illness could be in the same vein to keep Gareth Southgate from one of his most important players. Kai Havertz may get the reprieve like Rudiger but it’s just unknown right now. Hudson-Odoi might have done well enough to earn a callup but Southgate may play it safe for now, leading to Hudson-Odoi starting again. Hakim Ziyech’s exile from the national team basically guarantees him a start though his performances of late haven’t really warranted it. If Tuchel is concerned about Havertz’s fitness, there is always Ross Barkley but a front three of Hudson-Odoi, Barkley, and Ziyech seems a big leap of faith for Tuchel.

Luckily, Burnley isn’t in the best of form this season so Chelsea can afford to play with these ideas rather than just playing the “best” XI again. This is the last international break until March, with the long winter slog in between. Keeping players fit and functional is a big concern right now. The international managers likely won’t help, so Tuchel should play it smart with Burnley even if his hand is somewhat forced.