There are likely to be a few members of Chelsea's first-team squad desperately sad at the break for Qatar.
Saturday evening's 1-0 loss at Newcastle condemned the Blues to their third straight Premier League defeat, a fourth in the past five games, leaving Chelsea eighth in the Premier League table.
You are struggling to find many outstanding performers in the current squad: at least those who were still fit by the time Graham Potter's squad travelled to Tyneside. The performances since August have been mostly underwhelming, with the exception of a couple of displays scattered throughout.
READ MORE: Chelsea stance on Graham Potter revealed amid sack claims after Newcastle defeat
Many of the squad will now travel to the World Cup with their nations, whilst Potter contemplates how he can resolve Chelsea's woeful form and regain confidence ahead of the new year.
Now we can pause and reflect on the first half of the season, football.london assesses the winners and losers from Chelsea's squad.
Winners
Honrouable mentions: Trevoh Chalobah, Lewis Hall and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Reece James
His injury in October quickly curtailed his strong run of form and cruelly ended his World Cup dream, but there is little denying that Reece James was one of the standout performers again for Chelsea.
Continuing his productivity in the final third by scoring against Spurs and AC Milan, along with creating Raheem Sterling's second against Leicester and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's first goal at Stamford Bridge, his influence has only continued to grow.
A six-year contract penned at the beginning of September was probably the biggest signing made by Todd Boehly so far, and his maturity amidst a turbulent start to the year further vindicated that faith by the new ownership. Potter will be crossing his fingers James will be ready after Christmas, and should he remain fit, it is likely James will cruise to player of the year.
Thiago Silva
Even at 38, Thiago Silva remains Chelsea's outstanding defender. The Brazilian's cool head and intelligent defensive mind have had to be at their sharpest, given the problems we have seen so far this season.
Some talk in recent weeks has questioned his longevity, but he is usually the one having to put out fires created by mistakes made in front of him in midfield. A new contract feels like a no-brainer, given his influence on the pitch and popularity around the club.
In a period of few highs, watching Silva is still a treat.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Like James, Kepa Arrizabalaga's form was severely halted by a foot injury that kept him out of Chelsea's last four games, three of which they lost.
Before that, Kepa was quickly proving to be one of the comeback stories of recent years. Starting the first 10 games under Graham Potter, a feat matched by no other Chelsea player, his heroic stops enabled their last Premier League win against Aston Villa in October and maintained a clean sheet against Brentford the following midweek.
Chelsea's possession style under Potter was aided by Kepa's comfort on the ball and ability to act as a third defender in the build-up, along with having the speed and coolness to rush out of his area and clean up long balls hit behind Chelsea's defence.
Losers
Raheem Sterling
The £45m signing was the first major addition of the Boehly/Clearlake era. Pictured in the new Nike home shirt in front of the cinematic backdrop of Los Angeles palm trees, the England international was the marquee name to kick off a new era.
To say Sterling has completely failed would probably be hyperbole. A tally of five goals actually places him top of the club's scoring charts so far this season, but his general performance level has been disappointing. Being one of the players to really struggle following the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, Sterling's job in this team has become more muddled, operating as a wing-back, a more natural winger and a forward. The 27-year-old has looked like a peripheral figure at times.
Undeniably one of the most productive attackers in the Premier League across the past decade, Sterling has left a lot to be desired in a struggling side.
Jorginho
The Italian midfielder remains one of the club's most durable and consistent starters, but his performances look more laboured as the weeks go on. A change in head coach has forced him to do a bit more off-the-ball, meaning that his known frailties have again come to the fore in certain games.
There are still small glimpses of the accomplished passer seen under Thomas Tuchel, but that is usually thanks to wider protection around him.
With his contract running down and the consistent cries for new investment, Jorginho's place firmly feels more in the past than the future at Stamford Bridge. His limitations are far more obvious to dismiss, and it is hard to argue his impact on the ball is enough to justify a new contract.
Marc Cucurella
Signed from Brighton under Tuchel before Potter arrived, Marc Cucurella started life at Chelsea brightly, looking accomplished on the ball against Everton and Spurs.
As the weeks have progressed and he has been asked to play in a back three, he has looked overwhelmed and erratic. Most notably in the 4-1 defeat against his old club.
An illness in October forced him to be hospitalized, as confirmed by Potter, which has not helped his settling-in period. But given the money spent for him in August, there have been few high points to speak of.
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