Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso feels their busy schedule will be the club's biggest obstacle to overcome this season.

Only Cesar Azpilicueta has played more than Alonso's 1,466 minutes for the club this term. Alonso has started every match in the Premier League and the Champions League, with the only rest coming in the League Cup.

Alonso told the London Evening Standard: “It is going to be a tough period now, not just this week. Everyone knows how the Christmas period is in England.

“We will have a game every three days between now and the start of February. Sometimes we will not be 100 per cent but each player has to help the team. We have to be well prepared and very focused. Is the fixture schedule Chelsea's biggest obstacle this season?

"Yes, there are so many matches. We are getting kicks in games, we get tired, so recovery is very important."

He added: “If there is any point I don't feel I can help the team, I will tell the manager I'm tired. But I'm feeling good. I take the opportunity to rest when I can and work with the medical team to be 100 per cent for each game."