The international break is not just a time for preparing for the next set of matches but also for reflecting and assessing. "To improve players, try to recover players from injury in two weeks, we're going to spend working in the training ground," Mauricio Pochettino said when asked what he would be doing at Chelsea.
"Of course different mood from the last time, last month. With a victory, it is much better. I think pushing, keep pushing and working hard to try and be better." Next up for him and his players is the visit of London rivals Arsenal to Stamford Bridge but before that football.london has taken a look at how the summer sales have faired since leaving the club.
That's top of the list for headlines on Friday, October 13.
Mount struggles
It feels a long time since Cobham graduate Mason Mount was sold to Manchester United earlier this year. His exit, finalised shortly after Pochettino started as manager, was one of the key talking points of the window and caused quite the stir within the fanbase and divided some at the club as well.
However, two months into the new season and Mount is yet to justify anything close to the £65million that the Red Devils paid for him. Encountering a continuation of the injury issues that plagued his last term at Chelsea, Mount is yet to score for his new club or provide an assist.
Erik ten Hag, who pushed for Mount, isn't too worried though. "He can be a big part [of what we are creating here]," the Dutchman said. "He can play in that game by supplying, making the connections, making the link-ups for those in the front line.
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"He has abilities to give that [energy] and to supply our front players by combinations. Also in his moments of defence transition, in defending and pressing he can be and he is already a great player for us because he puts a lot of effort in. When we get better connections [in the team], that will grow."
Read the full report on those that were sold, here.
Messi future
Lionel Messi will not be moving to the Premier League for more football despite the MLS season ending in October. He arrived in America earlier this season, becoming the main man in David Beckham's Inter Miami side, and has scored 11 times in 13 games already.
However, with Messi now set for a large period without any football due to the differing season times, any suggestion that he will be making a temporary move across the world once more have been shrugged off. "Messi will have around one month holiday, like other footballers. So forget any move to Saudi or similar," Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said.
Overseas switches are seen now as a thing of the past for MLS sides and Inter Miami boss Tata Martino also pushed back on the idea that his key player would be leaving. "That's surprising," he said last week. "I know nothing about that. If you're telling me that he's going to go visit Barcelona on vacation, yes, it's probable, but I don't have any information on the other part."
Read the full story, here.
Palmer and Pochettino
Cole Palmer and Mauricio Pochettino have been sharing positive words about each other as the former Manchester City forward makes an immediate impact on Chelsea's side. Palmer has two assists and a goal in his first three starts for the club and has helped transform Pochettino's attack.
"Cole Palmer is also a good player that links with his teammates," the Argentine boss said. "We are giving him the starting position on the right but we give freedom to play between the lines because he's ready to read what the team needs."
As for Palmer himself, he has slotted into the young team around him even quicker than he imagined. "It has surprised me a bit but I know my own ability," the 21-year-old admitted. "And I knew that if I hit the ground running I'd have a chance and obviously make an impact. That's why I went there.
"I thought I could break in. I looked at the squad and there are a lot of players who went, not as many as people would have thought in terms of attackers.
"It's been hectic but that's good, moving down there was a big change. I was in a hotel for a couple of weeks and then I got my own place. It is new and difficult, I don't know how to do most things on my own so I'm learning."
Read the full story, here.