Graham Potter has confirmed the six Chelsea players whose countries suffered early eliminations at the World Cup in Qatar will return to Cobham next week for first-team training.
Kai Havertz was the first member of the Chelsea contingent to depart from the tournament in the Middle East after Germany suffered the ignominy of being eliminated at the group stage for the second consecutive World Cup. Christian Pulisic followed soon after as the USA were defeated by the Netherlands in the Round of 16.
Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly helped Senegal through their group but were dispatched by England in the first knockout phase on Sunday. Denis Zakaria's Switzerland were knocked out by Brazil at the same stage, while Cesar Azpilicueta's Spain were surprisingly – although deservedly – beaten by Morocco after a penalty shootout.
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Having joined up with their respective national teams immediately after Chelsea's Premier League defeat to Newcastle United on November 12 – and with Graham Potter and a makeshift 25-man squad training in Abu Dhabi this week – the six players have been given time off to recharge and refresh.
But Potter has confirmed they are due to return to Cobham next week to begin preparing for the resumption of the 2022/23 campaign: "They’ll report back when we return [to Cobham]," Potter told Chelsea's in-house media.
"It’s important after the disappointment of being knocked out that there’s time to psychologically get their heads straight and have a bit of time with their family and friends Then they can come back refreshed, we’ve given the players some time to have a break and to be ready for a tough long second part of the season. They’ll be returning next week and we’re looking forward to seeing everybody."
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