Enzo Maresca fears Chelsea players going on strike and claims 'it's completely wrong'

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca fears that football is on the brink of players taking Rodri’s advice and going on strike. He voiced his concerns about the risk to today’s players due to the excessive number of matches they are asked to play.

Maresca suggested that it’s not the authorities but the players themselves who will have to take action. He said: “Players are playing too many games. Yes. No doubt. I don’t think we protect players. But the only ones who can do something are the players.

“We can say what we think. For me it’s completely wrong with the amount of games that we have.

“But the only ones who can do something are the players, and we can help them. I think in the last two weeks some of the players try to say what they think, and I think it’s a good starting point.

“Are we close to strike action? Some of them they said that. Could be near for that.”

When asked if we are close to strike action, the Italian coach responded: “Are we close to strike action? Some of them they said that. Could be near for that.”

Manchester City midfielder Rodri was the first to suggest earlier this week that players could take matters into their own hands.

The Spaniard commented: “I think we are close to that it is easy to understand. If you ask any player he will say the same; it is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. It’s the general opinion of the players.”

“And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option. It’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer.

“From my experience I can tell you that 60-70 [is no good]. Between 40 and 50 is the amount of games in which a player can perform in the highest level.

“After that you drop because it is impossible to sustain the physical level. It is too much. We have to take care of ourselves. Someone has to take care of ourselves because we are the main characters of this sport.

“Not everything is money or marketing, it is also the quality of the show. When I am not tired I perform better and if the people want to see a better football, we need to rest.”

Maresca did not back a strike himself, however. The Chelsea boss only said: “The only thing I can say is there are too many games.

“They are not going to say [to me] they don’t want to play [and ask to be rested]. Never. Can happen something different. But in the end players all want to play all the games.”