Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca believes players are right to complain about the intense schedule and says going on strike may be one of their options to change things.
Player welfare has become an escalating concern, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson among those voicing complaints about the increasingly demanding fixture list for athletes representing both club and country.
Chelsea are one of the clubs most affected. They could play in excess of 70 games this season due to their involvement in the UEFA Conference League and expanded FIFA Club World Cup next summer.
The new Champions League format, a 36-team league phase, has added two more games for teams involved. It is one of the reasons why Rodri, who was part of the Spain team to win the European Championship earlier this summer, warned that strike action could be considered if things get any worse.
While stopping short of supporting a strike, Maresca understands why it has been mentioned as a possibility.
The Italian, who represented 11 clubs over 19 years before going into coaching, said: “In terms of (the amount of) games it is too much. I don’t think we protect players.
“The only ones who can do something are the players and we can help them. In the last one or two weeks some of the players have tried to explain what they think and it is a good starting point. Some of them said that (about going on strike) and it could be an idea for them.”
Maresca, meanwhile, admits he has no timeframe for when right-back Reece James will return to Chelsea’s line-up following a hamstring injury.
The Athletic exclusively revealed in August that he had suffered a setback in pre-season and was not going to return until the Bournemouth game (played last weekend) at the earliest.
James’s recovery is taking longer than expected and Maresca said: “Unfortunately we do not have an idea (when he will be back) at the moment.
“His injury is a bit delayed but the most important thing for him, and for any injury, is that they come back when they are 100 per cent fit and Reece is still out. Hopefully we can have him back as soon as possible.”
Fellow right-back Malo Gusto is still ruled out with a thigh injury, so Axel Disasi will be in contention to start in their absence again this Saturday at West Ham United.
(Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
