Xabi Alonso has plenty of work to do on the grass at Cobham Training Ground over the international break

As many as seven senior Chelsea players will have the chance to work closely with Xabi Alonso at Cobham Training Ground over the international break. The Blues manager will be expected to put the remnants of his squad through their paces as they gear up for the festive period.

Chelsea appeared to turn over a new leaf when they defeated Bournemouth and Everton at the start of October, having previously drawn to Hull City and lost to Brentford. The Blues have since crashed out of the Carabao Cup, and won just one of their last three Premier League games.

Following a pair of disappointing defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland, Alonso's side have conceded significant ground in the race for a place in the top four. They could have spent the international break in the comfort of a Champions League qualification place, dreaming of a title race.

But instead, having lost to the Black Cats, Chelsea are anxiously looking over their shoulder, clinging onto a ticket to the Europa League, with only goal difference keeping them in the top five.

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Fortunately for the Blues manager, a handful of key players will not be representing their country over the international break, giving him the chance to tweak his system, plug a few gaps, and develop his ideas with core members of the squad.

Morgan Rogers was the only Chelsea player to be named in the latest England squad by Thomas Tuchel, leaving Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Jordan Henderson, and Danny Welbeck at home. Reece James wasn't called up to attend the camp at St George's Park either, but he's still nursing a knee injury.

Despite having only played about 100 minutes or so since the last international break, Malo Gusto secured a place in the France squad. Neither Maxence Lacroix, who's recovering from a hamstring problem, nor Wesley Fofana were given the nod, though.

Jorrel Hato, who's also been out with a knock, and Emmanuel Emegha were left out of the Netherlands squad. Despite some impressive performances, Pep Chavarra, who's never been called up for Spain at junior or senior level, didn't catch the eye of Luis de la Fuente.

Estevao Willian will be the only Chelsea representative in the Brazil squad while Joao Pedro works hard to rebuild his fitness. The same can be said about Josh Acheampong in the England Under-21s, with Jamie Gittens still out injured.

All in all, Alonso will have seven senior players at his disposal on the grass at Cobham Training Ground over the international break, and five more in the treatment room. Over the next week or so, those who have struggled to establish themselves in the starting lineup will have the opportunity to impress the gaffer.

Meanwhile, those who have a point to prove, like Palmer and Colwill, who disappointed in the defeat to Sunderland at the weekend, will have the chance to dust themselves down and turn over a new leaf. The Blues are not back in action until Saturday, November 21, when they host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge, and the home faithful will accept nothing less than three points...

Chelsea players on international duty: Morgan Rogers (England), Moises Caicedo (Ecuador), Pedro Neto (Portugal), Geovany Quenda (Portugal), Mike Penders (Belgium), Romeo Lavia (Belgium), Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Valentina Barco (Argentina), Aaron Anselmino (Argentina), Estevao Willian (Brazil), Marco Palestra (Italy), Malo Gusto (France), and Josh Acheampong (England Under-21s).

Chelsea players NOT on international duty: Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Jordan Henderson, Danny Welbeck, Wesley Fofana, Emmanuel Emegha, and Pep Chavarra, as well as Joao Pedro, Reece James, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato, and Maxence Lacroix, who are nursing injuries.