It is the time of year when across the country, work places gather to celebrate before Christmas. As you would expect from professional athletes preparing for this weekend's Premier League fixture, the festivities enjoyed by the Chelsea players were more subdued than your average office party, but according to Mauricio Pochettino the benefits they provide through bonding and getting to know colleagues are universal.

In fact, if anything, that can be even more beneficial in sports, which is why he not only gave his approval, but wholeheartedly supported the idea of the players getting together for a Christmas party earlier this week, despite the defeat to Everton in our last match.

'I gave permission and I think it's a good thing,’ explained Pochettino. ‘Of course, after the Everton game, people can say something different, but when you have a young squad and people that arrived from different countries and different cultures, this type of event can put people in the same place and help people know each other in a different environment.

‘In my experience, it's fantastic and that's why I didn't stop them going. Afterwards it was nice, because we were talking about the dinner and they were happy because that was an opportunity to communicate with people they maybe don’t communicate with often.

‘Even when the team are in a difficult situation where people are killing you, maybe you become more together, are ready to protect and fight all together for each other. That is about building a team and team bonding.’

Pochettino confirmed there was also a wider Christmas get-together at our Cobham training ground on Thursday, involving staff and their families, which he saw as another opportunity to help build a great team spirit at Chelsea.

‘Yesterday afternoon was a very nice thing to celebrate all together with all the staff, the Academy, players, their families, their kids. It was amazing to have all the families here and the kids and everything.

‘This is part of the process, to know each other, to create a nice culture to back each other. To create something that means you give one, two or five per cent more for your family - your team-mates. I think this kind of thing can help create the group and the dynamic to perform better.

‘It was a tough few days after Everton, which is normal, because we want to win, we want to succeed. We are going to do everything in our hands to provide the players with the tools to perform and win games.’

That team bond and determination to fight for each other will no doubt be put to the test tomorrow, when we host Sheffield United at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League. As Pochettino points out, it is exactly the kind of challenge we have struggled with so far this season, while the visitors beat Brentford 1-0 last week for their first points since Chris Wilder’s return as manager.

‘Every Premier League game is different and always difficult. I know very well Sheffield United, I know very well Chris and of course it is going to be tough. Because also they are going to try to be aggressive with a low block and for us always it was difficult when we play against a team with a low block.

‘But I think the most important thing we have been working on is our mentality and our way to play. We need to find different solutions and be more solid and consistent. Now for tomorrow the most important aspect is the way we are going to approach the game.

‘We are going to fight and do everything to succeed. We are so motivated to work really hard to find a way to start to perform and win the games.’