Mudryk challenge, James recovery - Dream Chelsea week in international break before Liverpool

Bobby Vincent takes a look at what the ideal week would be for Enzo Maresca and Chelsea before the Blues make the trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Sunday

We are now into the second week of the international break as Chelsea step up their preparations for their trip to Liverpool next weekend.

The Blues take on the Reds as Enzo Maresca takes on Arne Slot in fourth versus first in the Premier League at Anfield. Before that, though, the majority of Chelsea players have to come through one more international game prior to returning to their clubs.

And, with all of that being said, Bobby Vincent takes a look at what would be considered the 'dream' week for Maresca as he looks to have a fit and firing squad for the trip to Merseyside...

Mudryk challenge

Mykhailo Mudryk scored the only goal of the game as Ukraine beat Georgia on Friday evening. The 23-year-old winger netted his first goal of the season for club or country in the victory as he looks to build some momentum.

This evening, Ukraine take on Czech Republic in the second game of the international break and the Chelsea winger will be hoping to replicate what he did on Friday. If he can come back to Cobham after scoring in back-to-back games for his country, that will do his confidence the world of good.

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It looks like Mudryk is low on confidence whenever he puts on a Chelsea shirt. Although, speaking before the break, Maresca insisted that was not the problem for Mudryk: "I don't think it is a lack of confidence. Misha is Misha.

"You have to accept the way he is. Hopefully he can get minutes and do better."

James recovery

Reece James is the only current injured first-team player at Chelsea. The 24-year-old is yet to feature in a competitive match under Maresca this season and the Blues head coach has refused to put a timeframe on when his captain will return to action.

The international break is the perfect time for injured players to continue their recovery at Cobham as they are not missing any matches. While James is not in full training just yet, the last week - and the next few days - will be integral for his recovery.

Training with those not selected

There are still plenty of players back at Cobham that were not selected by their countries and it is the perfect opportunity for Maresca to train closer with them. The likes of Jadon Sancho, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Ben Chilwell, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Romeo Lavia, Tosin Adarabioyo and Carney Chukwuemeka.

Tosin has a real chance to start at Anfield, too, with Wesley Fofana to serve his one-match suspension against Liverpool after accumulating five yellow cards. Maresca will be looking to work with Tosin, who has impressed in cameos since arriving on a free transfer in the summer, in the coming days ahead of the trip to the Premier League leaders at the weekend.

Chukwuemeka and Chilwell will be hoping to impress at Cobham in the next few days. Both do not seem to have a future at the club and were allowed to leave in the summer. Neither have been selected for a Premier League match day squad yet this term but will be hoping to impress the head coach in training before the weekend.

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