How Chelsea Will Prepare for Middlesbrough After the Winter Break

Chelsea secured a narrow 1-0 win over Fulham in their last Premier League game before the winter break. The break, which was introduced in 2020, splits one match week into two to give teams some rest from the hectic schedule.

The blues will not play again until their Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough on January 23rd. This gives them a rare opportunity to recharge their batteries and focus on their training.

Chelsea Return to Training on Wednesday

According to Chelsea insider Nathan Gissing, the blues will resume their training sessions on Wednesday. This means that manager Mauricio Pochettino will have six full days to prepare his team for the crucial cup clash.

Pochettino, who joined Chelsea in 2022, expressed his satisfaction with the winter break in his post-match press conference. He said (via chelseafc.com), “I think they need these three days off to breathe a little. Then we can attack the second half of the season.”

Chelsea Face a Tough Challenge Against Middlesbrough

Chelsea fans will be hoping that the break will benefit the blues, who are currently ninth in the Premier League table. They will face a tough challenge against Middlesbrough, who are Tenth in the Championship and have won their last two games.

The Carabao Cup is a chance for Chelsea to win their first trophy under Pochettino, who has never won a major title in his managerial career. The blues will also want to avenge their 0-1 defeat to Middlesbrough in their first leg.

The semi-final will be played at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have a strong home record. However, they will have to be wary of Middlesbrough’s attacking threat, led by striker Britt Assombalonga, who has scored 15 goals this season.

Chelsea will need to be at their best to overcome Middlesbrough and reach the final of the Carabao Cup. The winter break could be a blessing or a curse for the blues, depending on how they use it.