Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has hit out at the “crazy” schedule in the Premier League and points the finger of blame at fixture congestion with so many players suffering injuries ahead of the World Cup.
“It’s difficult and it’s sad because as players you want to go to the World Cup, but we have this schedule where we have to play for our club and do our best. We are fighting a lot for player welfare because the schedule is crazy,” Azpilicueta said, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“Sometimes we have to consider everything and I think we are in conversations with FIFA. It’s difficult because I understand that the fans want to see football.
“We have five subs now but we have in our team a couple of injuries that make it more difficult to rotate. We are playing every few days, but it’s how it is and we have to step up.”
This comes after Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane was forced off during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, however, it is believed that the France international will be fit to feature for Didier Deschamps’ side next month in Qatar.
Varane has been solid at the back for United so far this season and has formed a formidable partnership in defence with new signing Lisandro Martinez. The injury comes as a blow for Erik ten Hag because it means Varane won’t be available for any of United’s matches between now and the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Diogo Jota has already been ruled out of the competition, while there are doubts over Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Chelsea’s Reece James.
United have three league matches between now and the World Cup.
Player welfare has been ignored
It’s too late to make any alterations because the World Cup kicks off next month.
What can FIFA or the players, for that matter, do it about it now?
FIFA followed the money. End of story.
ALWAYS BELIEVED BACKHANDERS WERE INVOLVED, IN ORDER TO TOTALLY DISRUPT FOOTBALL SCHEDULES AROUND THE WORLD. FIFA OFFICIALS NO DOUBT PROBABLY BECAME VERY RICH OVER NIGHT A FEW YEARS AGO.