Chelsea Manager Antonio Conte gives players 3 more days to rest for the first time

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For the first time in almost three months, Chelsea have an open date on the calendar, with no match scheduled for the rest of this week until the ominous West Brom encounter takes place on Monday night. Not that West Brom are a good team — they are in fact rock bottom of the league — but it’s a modern tradition in the Roman Era to sack managers after playing the Baggies. In any case, we’ll cross that bridge if and when we get to it. For now, the important part is finding a solution and recovering from this malaise. But while work, work, and more work is the only real solution, Conte has decided to give the squad an very much needed extended break this week, giving the players a long overdue opportunity to rest and recharge, both physically and mentally. They may not deserve it after recent performances, but it may be exactly what’s needed. As per the report, Conte was set to give just the standard one-day off following a match, but has had a change of heart and has given the players the next three days off. Sometimes, a bit of vacation is just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully, when the squad reconvene on Friday, Conte will still be the head coach...