Mauricio Pochettino referred to as for measures that prioritise relaxation time for gamers after a run of three video games in seven days for Chelsea.
The three-2 victory over Luton at Kenilworth Street on Saturday, which ended a streak of 4 consecutive away losses within the Premier League, was the eighth match his group has performed in December.
The Skilled Footballers’ Affiliation (PFA), which represents the pursuits of gamers, is known to be exploring the opportunity of taking authorized motion over the variety of video games through which groups are anticipated to participate.
It comes forward of the upcoming launch of a brand new format for the Champions League which may see as many as 4 additional video games added to golf equipment’ schedules, whereas the 2026 World Cup will characteristic 48 international locations for the primary time.
Chelsea are additionally due to participate in FIFA’s expanded Membership World Cup set to happen in the USA in the summertime of 2025.
Pochettino, who’s one in every of a lot of top-flight managers to have needed to cope with an harm disaster throughout his first six months in cost at Stamford Bridge, stated extra have to be accomplished to guard gamers amid rising commitments.
“It’s a enterprise that gives many individuals in many various areas with a cushty life,” he stated. “(However) after all it’s a enterprise the place the gamers are the principal actors. We have to care about them.
“It’s true that it’s the one sport on the earth the place the gamers compete for 10, 11 months. Typically we have to handle higher the way in which to relaxation the gamers, to present the chance for restoration.
“Once we examine with different sports activities, solely footballers are competing for practically 11 months.
“While you improve the extent of competitors, soccer is quick, the gamers run extra, we push them day by day to enhance and enhance their bodily situation. However they want relaxation.”
Pochettino has needed to do with out a lot of key gamers for lengthy intervals this season, most notably his captain Reece James who lately underwent hamstring surgical procedure, in addition to Ben Chilwell and new signings Christopher Nkunku and Romeo Lavia.
Mauricio has confirmed Romeo Lavia picked up a knock in our victory over Crystal Palace.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 29, 2023
Defenders Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah haven’t performed this season, whereas Carney Chukwuemeka has been unavailable for the reason that second weekend of the marketing campaign.
“It’s a superb level to all realise that (there are) 11 gamers, within the squad 22,” stated Pochettino. “When the supervisor makes adjustments it’s so to not play the identical beginning XI each single sport.
“It’s to limit, so gamers don’t begin each two to a few days in a busy interval. It’s many concepts we have to share all collectively to search out one of the best answer.
“There have been too many injured the previous few years. We must be cautious in regards to the scenario, we have to take care of higher our gamers.”
