Liam Rosenior explains decision to give Chelsea players time off as part of mid-season break | OneFootball

Cole Palmer was among players who jetted off for some sun over past week

Last season lasted 51 weeks for Chelsea as they won the Club World Cup in the United States having also won UEFA Conference League in Wroclaw.

Rosenior says he and players have enjoyed a week without a match, as they have been able to work on different things in training.

Chelsea had eight days between fixtures after beating Hull last Friday

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Cole Palmer went on holiday to Dubai for a couple of days and was not the only Chelsea star who travelled abroad for some sun, as he was joined in the United Arab Emirates by Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto and the injured Marc Cucurella.

“I looked at the players' schedule over the last 18 months, the two years we've spoken about injuries and trying to maximise the availability of the group,” Rosenior said.

“I actually encouraged the players to go and get some sun. They have been at it non-stop for 18 months.

“Sometimes the best way to rejuvenate yourself, the best way to be fit and fresh, is to switch off and take time. That was my idea. I know people may question it. We don't win games after that.

“But in the moment, I thought it was the right thing for the players, considering the workload they've had.”

Rosenior joked: “I think they want more days off!

“Their training has been good for the last two days. Honestly, regardless of that, since I've been in, their level of engagement, the intensity in training, what they've given me, it's been consistently excellent. It needs to continue that way for us to be successful.”