Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has conceded he will have to rotate his players for the first time this season in order to cope with the forthcoming intense fixture schedule.
The Blues’ home Premier League match against West Brom on Sunday starts a run of seven games within four weeks for the League leaders.
Conte picked the same XI for six straight matches and only changed it last week against Manchester City because of a calf injury to Nemanja Matic.
But the former Italy manager is aware that the busy festive period will demand much more of his squad.
Asked by Standard Sport if he will have to change his team more often over the next month, he said: “Yes, we'll have more games. [Next week] we'll have three games in seven days. For this reason, it's important to have all the squad, all the players in good form.
“I think I could take the decision to have a rotation, but I think the most important thing now is to think game by game.
“Now there is West Brom. It's important to be fully concentrated on West Brom. Then, after the game, it's important to understand that, if we have new injuries or I see some players tired... to say now if I'll need to rotate is very difficult.”
In Pictures | Manchester City vs Chelsea | 03/12/2016
In the 3-1 win against Manchester City, fringe players Cesc Fabregas and Willian both impressed.
Fabregas replaced Matic and set up the equalising goal for Diego Costa. Meanwhile, Willian, who has lost his first team spot to Pedro, came on in the second half to good effect and put Chelsea 2-1 in front.
Pressed on whether these two had set the standard for all the other non-regulars to make the most of their opportunity when given one, he added: “For sure I want this.
“If there is good competition, a great competition, this is very important. If I haven't got problems to take the decision and end up just putting in the same line-up, it's not good.
“It's good to create competition and have good competition. It means the level of our squad is rising. It's important to have that.”
