Chelsea’s momentum was paused by the October international break, arriving just days after their dramatic 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, according to The Chelsea Chronicle.
Estevao Willian’s late strike secured a vital three points, lifting spirits across West London after a tense period that had seen the Blues struggle for consistency. Coming off back-to-back league defeats while playing with ten men, finishing the Liverpool clash at full strength was a welcome relief for Enzo Maresca—even if the manager himself saw red.
While fans would have loved to see Chelsea ride the wave of that win immediately, the international break may actually work in the club’s favour. Here’s why:
1. Recovery for Injured Stars
Cole Palmer’s season has been hampered by injury, limiting him to just two Premier League starts. With the break, Chelsea will play fewer matches without their influential playmaker, allowing Palmer crucial recovery time before he returns to action.
2. Healing the Squad
Chelsea’s treatment room has been overcrowded in recent weeks. Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Liam Delap, and Andrey Santos have all been sidelined, while Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong picked up knocks against Liverpool. Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro, carrying minor issues, were spared international duty, giving them a full window to rest and regain peak fitness.
3. Tactical Reset for Maresca
Chelsea’s recent run across the Premier League, Champions League, and EFL Cup exposed questions around tactics and game management. With no immediate matches, Maresca now has the chance to reassess strategies, particularly in scenarios where the team is reduced to ten men. The break also provides time to fine-tune attacking setups and plan for vulnerabilities ahead of the clash with Nottingham Forest on October 18.
While international breaks can disrupt momentum, for Chelsea this pause may be a blessing in disguise. It gives injured players time to recover, offers tactical breathing room for Maresca, and sets the stage for the Blues to return stronger and sharper in the coming fixtures.
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