How important was the break and time off you and the majority of your players enjoyed?
"It helped a lot, absolutely necessary, we were the team that played the most matches and had the least break between matches. And that cost us a lot of energy, and that was absolutely necessary for everybody.
"So it's great to be back, it's a busy month ahead and we're looking forward. It's good that it's like this."
You were pictured having dinner with your staff and Marina Granovskaia this week – and there was a magician – was that to help strengthen the bond between you?
"It was to strengthen the bond and to say thank you to all the staff. We were with all the staff and we hired the restaurant in Cobham and we were having dinner with everybody because it was the moment to do so, and it was a nice evening out.
"The magician was very, very good. So we had a good evening, it was for everybody who works at Cobham. We were happy to do it, and it was good."
What's the latest injury news, is anyone back?
"Not Reece James and Ben Chilwell, unfortunately, and not Ruben Loftus-Cheek. They are still injured, everybody else was in training except Christian Pulisic and Thiago Silva. Everybody else was there, we've had a good training week.
"It's very rare we have four training sessions to prepare a match. So it was very nice to freshen up some tactical elements and have a physical input that was more than normal.
"We feel very prepared, and it was also necessary because we respect the opponent, the competition and the situation that for them it's a unique game and opportunity to show, in a situation where they have absolutely nothing to lose.
"So we have to be prepared for that and, of course, we have now one week where we play the FA Cup, the semi-final and then hopefully the final in the Club World Cup. So we want to be prepared for all of that, from tomorrow."
How satisfied are you with the January transfer window and was a deal for Ousmane Dembele close?
"Yes, I'm very satisfied, because it was a calm window, and to be calm is always, in doubt, the best thing. We were open for things, I did not have contact with Ousmane to answer your question very directly. So there was no contact between us."
Christian Pulisic played in -16 degrees during the international break, have you spoken to him about that?
"No I just was aware of it today, I heard it today. I understood it was a bit of revenge from the U.S. to the hot temperatures in Honduras.
"I don't know if I would have been out there coaching, I'm not so good in these kinds of temperatures and the chill factor was worse. So I am happy I was not involved – to scout this team was maybe even worse to be on the tribune.
"For him, to be serious, it is quite an adaptation now to go from -16 to Abu Dhabi and +24. And don't forget, him and Thiago Silva did not have a break so they've had some days off now. Christian will arrive tomorrow to travel with us and then we will see how he adapts to this extreme change."
How close is Reece James to returning?
"He's not at team training yet so I think that answers the question. I think after these two weeks, he needs some time in team training to get the rhythm back and the confidence back before we can think about letting him play.
"He does not travel with us tomorrow to Abu Dhabi because he isn't part of team training and that answers the question."
Any frustration you didn't get cover for the wing-backs?
"No, no frustration because I was also calm and there was no frustration because I know what kind of quality we would need to add to a very, very strong group and a good group. We trust in the players we have and it's also my job to find solutions when we have had injuries.
"We tried and had ideas, but in the end we stick to what we have and we are happy with it. Reece will come back at some point. Unfortunately, not Ben Chilwell, but Reece will come back and then he will compete for his place and compete for a place in the squad to fulfill his dreams and reach his full potential.
"Azpi is at the moment in fantastic form and in a fantastic place, that's is why it's fine. We try to find solutions within our squad."
Do you feel refreshed from the break?
"I was here, kids were at school, so it was a pretty relaxing time here. I managed to take some work off the desk that was there for the last few weeks but it's nice to have daily life sometimes. In this one-week break, it was not necessary to go abroad.
"It is, of course, good to disconnect at one point because the schedule was immense on us. But it was also nice to come back."
It would be an almighty shock if you didn't win tomorrow against Plymouth wouldn't it?
"Of course, it would be a big surprise but it wouldn't be the first surprise in 150 years of the FA Cup. We better be realistic about it that we are the favourites and what we demand of ourselves in this match.
"At the same time, we respect the game and anything can happen. That's the beauty of this game. That's why everybody is in love with football. So we better respect it and be serious. Of course, it is in our hands and hopefully, it stays in our hands. From there we need to prove it. We can't hide the fact that we are huge favourites."
Is it better to play home or away against lower-league opposition?
"Yes, it is part of it [Plymouth coming to Stamford Bridge] and I can see and understand, I felt it from the team. After [the Chesterfield players] were in the dressing room, swapping shirts and talking to the players. They don't lose contact because they play in front of their away supporters at Stamford Bridge. It was a huge boost and it will be like this for Plymouth.
"Let's be very honest. We could easily say that it is the best day in their career but we want to turn it into one of the worst days of their career because we want to beat them. We want to make things clear that we are still the better team and side.
"We don't want them to have the best time of their life or a very good experience at Stamford Bridge. How do we do this? We respect the team, treat them well and have a strong team on the pitch tomorrow to make it to the next round. The rules are the rules and I am happy that we have a home match."
Pulisic and Thiago Silva playing international football show the calendar is too stacked?
"For me, yes. Now it is about quantity and not quality. People want to see quality football and players. For this, they need to be fresh and they cannot be injured. That's why we need a leaner schedule. Absolutely yes.
"In one year at Chelsea, we had 67 matches or something like this. If you add, European matches or qualifiers for the players, the demand and the effort is huge. Everybody wants to see the top players, top-level football but less is sometimes more. I don't have a solution but this is my general opinion."
You've got Kenedy back, is this now a clean slate for him at Chelsea?
"Absolutely, it is a clean slate. Absolutely, yes. I cannot agree more. I think he knows it. I have known him for many years since he was at Chelsea. I followed him when he played for Newcastle and I was very impressed with the beginning of his career.
"It was very promising. He lost strength a bit and maybe couldn't fulfil his dreams. He couldn't fulfil his demands of everybody or people from the outside like I have.
"This is life sometimes and he gets a second and third chance to be here and this is what it is about. It is not about the past, it is not about what happened and what not happen, he was good in pre-season. He decided he wanted to go back to Brazil and take the chance there.
"Now we had the situation with Ben and having Kenny and Emerson on loan and Kenny was possible and I am happy that he’s here. Now it is his duty to get fit and we have to bring him to match fitness and then he needs some minutes. However that will work out – he needs to deserve it, but he’s now part of the group.
"He is a very nice guy and very talented and let’s see where he is and if he can maybe make it. I think it is a huge opportunity for him and I am happy to give it to him and help him make the best out of it."
How big of a blow is Reece not going to the Club World Cup?
"I am too long a manager to have a feeling for injuries and not just get overexcited by pure dates that are maybe out there when a player can come back. I know that we have setbacks and I know it can take long sometimes.
"It depends. The injury was a big injury and I felt it straight away the diagnosis was straight away that it was a big injury. From there you have to be patient. It is hamstring injury. It is always a tricky one and he is a very physical player and he unfortunately caught the flu and this was like a setback in the last week. He lost days in his process coming back into the team.
"It was a bit of setback for him. But we are patient. We want to have him tomorrow on the pitch, but it is not happening at the moment and we have to be patient. I know that Reece works hard and he is in best hands."
Is Kenedy an option for you at left wing-back?
"If you play with a wingback it is a perfect role for him. Given his profile and considering his profile as a player. He has a strong left foot and very strong in positional play. He can shoot and cross very precisely. And that’s more or less it. He is very talented.
"There was never a doubt about this and now it is having the right mentality and mindset to take this huge opportunity whenever the next step is needed.
"He will fight for his place and the others will hopefully take on the fight to not let him take their place away. Then it depends which formation we play, but a wingback role suits him very well."
