Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his belief that football's calendar offers no protection to players and added that players voicing concerns about the number of games they play is “a good starting point”.
The issue of increased player workloads has come to the fore over the past week, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri saying that the players are prepared to strike over it. His comments have won the support of Real Madrid Thibaut Courtois and the one from Barcelona Jules Koundéwhile Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti suggested that players would consider being paid less for playing less.
Maresca is the latest figure in the football fraternity to weigh in on the matter.
“Yes, definitely,” he said at a news conference on Friday, when asked if there were too many games on the football calendar.
“In terms of matches, it's too much. We don't protect the players. The only ones who can do something are the players. We can help them. I think in the last two weeks some of the players have explained what they think and I think it's a good starting point.”
Chelsea left Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia out of their UEFA Conference League squad to manage his minutes over a long season.
Chelsea are eighth in the Premier League after four games and face West Ham in a London derby on Saturday.
Maresca confirmed that Enzo Fernandez and new signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall They will be available for the trip to the London Stadium after both missed last weekend's win over Bournemouth through illness.
However, the club captain Reece James and bad wants stay on the sidelines due to health concerns.
