Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has granted his players three days off.

Pochettino made the decision after Saturday's win against Fulham.

"We need to give the players some rest," said Pochettino on Saturday. "But also the staff because it has been a busy period and they need to breathe a little bit. The break is well deserved.

"We have seven days to prepare for the second leg against Middlesbrough. Then we face Aston Villa on Friday in the FA Cup, and then Liverpool in the Premier League.

"So I think they need these three days off to breathe a little. Then we can attack the second half of the season."