Antonio Conte believes his Chelsea players are mentally refreshed after giving them an extended break last week.
Conte took the rare step of giving the majority of the squad three days off following the 4-1 defeat to Watford last Monday.
It was the first time Chelsea haven't had a mid-week fixture since the last international fixtures in November.
And Conte hopes it has given the Chelsea players just what they need as they attempt to get back to winning ways against West Brom on Monday night.
He said: "For sure, to have a bit of rest after a busy period, I think it was important. It was important for them, to try and stay with their families, to spend more time with themselves, to give them the opportunity to breathe and not think about us.
"In Germany, France, Spain and Italy, this happens (a midwinter break). Only in England this doesn't happen. I think it's the same for the coach (to have a break) because you need to prepare a new game every three days.
"But for us we didn't need to recover the physical situation. Mentally, though. I think you can recover after mental fatigue. Yes. They were very happy to have had three days off. To see me after three days off, yes.
“I think we are ready to face the game against West Brom, then to play against Hull City and then Barcelona. We must be ready to play three games in eight days. We are ready, I think.”
In Pictures | Watford vs Chelsea | 05/02/2018
Standard Sport revealed last week that Conte has maintained his intense training regime this season despite the team playing far more games.
The squad have suffered far more injury problems, while there is increasing talk that the players are finding his methods boring.
Asked to describe his training philosophy, he added: “Now it's very difficult to describe my sessions in training.
"For sure, when you play every three days, it's impossible to work on the physical aspects. This season, we are not working on this aspect.
"But, if I have time to work with the players and you have the whole week, and you try to start the week with physical session. Then, in midweek, I start to go on the tactical aspect and prepare the game.
"I think that, usually when you work, you don't smile. Especially if you work hard. It's very difficult to smile.
Read More
"But, at the same time, you understand that only through work can you reach a fantastic target like last season. Last season, our work allowed us to reach an incredible target (of winning the title).”
