Summertime blues

ENZO'S BURNOUT FEAR AFTER RULING WORLD

- by NEIL McLEMAN

CHELSEA starting a season with the same head coach is not the only rarity ahead of the upcoming campaign - there is also the rest factor.

The Blues lifted the FIFA Club World Cup on July 13 in New Jersey and then gave the players a three-week break.

Their Premier League opponents on August 17 are Crystal Palace, who played their first preseason friendly on July 12. And Chelsea stars risk being overcooked, yet underdone.

The quick return to action has already seen England defender Levi Colwill break down in training on the first day back on Monday. After international summer tournaments, star players are given time off and slowly reintegrated. You can’t do that with an entire squad.

Banking £84m from the USA, winning the UEFA Conference League and qualifying for the Champions League could come at a big cost.