Maresca: Chelsea coach takes stance on fixture increase and players’ strike | OneFootball

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca criticised the packed game schedule that footballers are subjected to, saying there is ‘no doubt’ they are playing too much and that making their voices heard is a good starting point.

More competitions are increasing the number of games, an issue that several players and coaches have raised in recent weeks.

The new expanded Champions League format added two extra matches in the revamped group phase before the knockout stage, and the brand-new Club World Cup, to be held between June and July 2025 at the end of an already busy season, will involve as many as 32 teams.

“We don’t protect the players”: Maresca’s stance on packed game schedule and potential strike

“Yes, no doubt [they are playing too many games],” Maresca said at a press conference on Friday, as quoted by Football London.

“In terms of games, it’s too much. We do not protect players. The only ones who can do something are the players. We can help them.”

“I think in the last two weeks, some players have explained what they think, and I think it’s a good starting point.”

Chelsea’s Italian manager continued by explaining his concerns about a schedule that leaves players little chance to rest, which is strictly related to his decision to omit some prominent players from the Blues’ Europa Conference League list.

“The reason why Cole [Palmer], Wes [Fofana] and Romeo [Lavia] are out of the squad in Conference League is to protect them a little bit. For Cole, it’s a mix in terms of it’s been an intense season for him last year. We are trying to protect him.”

Manchester City’s Rodri arguably shared the strongest view in this regard. He admitted players are “close” to striking and have “no other option” if things won’t change.

Asked to comment on such a scenario, Maresca simply added, “The only thing I can say is that there are too many games.”

Maresca’s compatriot Carlo Ancelotti said in August that he would consider giving his Real Madrid players individual holidays during the season to cope with a packed fixture list.