LONDON: Christmas lights and festive shop displays foretell a season of indulgence in Britain but for Premier League footballers they herald the arrival of the most gruelling period of the year.

Unique among Europe’s major leagues, England’s footballers are granted no winter break and must cram in an energy-sapping sequence of fixtures, while the rest of the country is tucking into the traditional roast turkey and mince pies.

There are games in the Premier League on the weekends immediately before and after Christmas Day on December 25, as well as the traditional Boxing Day fixtures on December 26.

The New Year brings no let-up, with a full round of league games on January 1 and 2 followed by the FA Cup third-round fixtures the following weekend.

It is an arduous routine and woe betide any team with ambitions of progressing in the cup competitions as Britain’s winter months take hold.

Chelsea Interim Manager Rafa Benitez has already presided over eight games since taking charge at Stamford Bridge on November 21.

Commitments in the European Champions League, the Club World Cup in Japan and the English League Cup have been piled on top of the league programme, stretching the squad to its limits.

After losing 1-0 to Corinthians in the Club World Cup final in Yokohama on Sunday, Chelsea faced a 13-hour return flight and then had only 48 hours to prepare for their League Cup quarter-final at Leeds United on Wednesday.

A shock had been on the cards after Leeds took the lead in the 37th minute but the Blues battled back to win 5-1, easing the pressure on Benitez.

But starting on Sunday, last year’s Champions League winners face league games with Aston Villa, Norwich City, Everton and Queens Park Rangers—all in the space of just 11 days.

Benitez, though, said that he cannot complain about the scheduling if he wants his team to amass as much silverware as possible.

“We have to win every competition if we can,” said the Spaniard, whose side’s victory against Leeds adds a League Cup semi-final to their heaving schedule.

“Christmas time is a crucial period because you can play so many games that will change everything.”

Boxing Day fixtures traditionally pit teams against their local rivals to spare fans the inconvenience of long journeys on a day when many public transport providers run restricted services.