Chelsea players including Cole Palmer given exceptional treatment in unusual extended break

Chelsea players have had an exceptionally long midseason break, and are now gearing up to return to action at last.

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We’re all in favour of this three week international break (it’s better to get it all out of the way in one go), but it’s creating some interesting new situations for coaches who haven’t dealt with such an extended break before.

We already know that Chelsea are playing a friendly game against Portsmouth behind closed doors this weekend, and Kieran Gill of the Daily Mail has more information about how the Blues have set things up for their non-international player.

Some Chelsea players continue to train alone ahead of Premier League return

Cole Palmer (Photo by Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

He reports that the players in that category had “nine days off”, a true rarity in the modern game, and have now returned to team training as they build up to next week’s return.

Others – including Cole Palmer – have continued on individual plans with specific physio or rehab goals. The attack has gone abroad, but has taken a club approved personal rehab coach.

It will be very interesting to see whether our team returns refreshed or rusty after this.

In other news…

Chelsea are moving ahead with their plans to sign Alex Scott, and today they got more details on what Bournemouth are looking for.

Championship side Portsmouth are coming to Cobham to face Chelsea in a friendly this weekend as Xabi Alonso starts preparations for next week’s return to action.

Chelsea aren’t able to control possession in games as well as they should, and that’s hurting them defensively.