Respite is rare during a top-flight campaign – and especially in the winter months. It's why the Premier League opted to split gameweek 21 over two weekends. It ensured a short but invaluable mid-season break for each club.

Pochettino and his players are currently enjoying theirs after our victory over Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Some of the squad have headed away; some are enjoying time with family at home in London.

'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.'

When the squad returns on Wednesday to Cobham, work steps up ahead of our Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Middlesbrough. Another intense run of fixtures then follows.

'We have seven days to prepare for the second leg against Middlesbrough,' explained Pochettino. '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.'