Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenier admits he is concerned for his squad’s welfare as he tries to strike a balance between getting the best players on the pitch and managing a packed schedule.

Three days after beating Wolves 3-1 at Molineux, Chelsea return to Premier League action when they host Leeds at Stamford Bridge, while the Blues travel to Championship side Hull City in the FA Cup on Friday.

Chelsea have already played 39 games in all competitions this season, particularly notable given their workload this season as the London club go all the way to the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer, playing seven games in the United States en route to capturing the title.

Rosenier has rotated regularly since taking over from Enzo Maresca last month, and his decision to do so almost backfired in their most recent home game, a 3-2 win over relegation-threatened West Ham in which they had to come from 2-0 down.

Asked about managing the workload, Rosenier said in his pre-match press conference: “Yes, it’s difficult. You see we’ve rotated a lot, which you need to do. You need to do that at this stage of the season.

“I have mentioned this before. Considering the long-term schedule of the players, they have played throughout the summer. They have had no pre-season. They have been brilliant. So, you have to try to refresh the team in the right areas, mentally and physically.

“You have to be really, really well prepared strategically to give the players the best plans and the best solutions to the problems you face. So far, I have to say, in my time with them, the players have done a very good job of achieving that.”

Pressed on whether he was concerned for the players’ welfare, he added: “I think so, to be honest. The thing with these boys now is that they are fantastic professionals on and off the pitch. They take care of their bodies very well. They live for their work, which is very important. Most of them are used to it now.

“Throughout their careers, they’ve played, whether it’s the Copa America, whether Mamadou (Saar) has won the Africa Cup of Nations, or the World Cup, or the Euros, or now the Club World Cup. Their bodies get used to it, but you want the best possible product.

“To get the best possible product, you want the best players on the pitch. We have to find a way that we can find a balance between the two.”

Chelsea could be without Reece James for the visit of Leeds, with Rosenier revealing the versatile defender is dealing with illness.

His absence will be a significant blow as Rosenier celebrates a month with a victory in his first match.

Reflecting on his first month at the helm, Rosenier said: “It took time, but what was really encouraging and really pleasing is that the players took a lot of information, a lot of team meetings, not a lot of training sessions and they implemented what we wanted in the main. So yes, pleasing, but we need to continue.”