Chelsea Ditches Summer Tour To Avoid Burnout Of Players After World Cup

Chelsea "will not go on a lucrative tour this summer to ensure their squad avoid burn-out next season," according to Simon Johnson of the London EVENING STANDARD. With a shorter close season due to the World Cup, Chelsea has "decided to play a series of one-off games in Europe instead." Trips to North America and Southeast Asia "have been financially rewarding and given Chelsea a great opportunity to increase their global fanbase." But with the majority of its squad involved in the World Cup in Brazil, which will also delay holidays and the date players report back for training, "a lighter schedule is being planned." Chelsea will hope that by staying in Europe it "can gain an advantage" over its rivals which "are still going on tours this summer" (EVENING STANDARD, 3/13).