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,

Chelsea left it late against AFC Bournemouth last weekend, but a win’s a win and we now have a chance to make it two wins from three in the league as we visit the Olympic Stadium for a Saturday noon kickoff. We hung five on the Hammers at the Bridge back in May; is it too much to ask for another handful?

Chelsea are not in that competition, but do play in the Conference League this term and have the added complication of having qualified for Fifa’s new Club World Cup next summer. The result is that a season which began on August 18 may not finish until July 15 next year and Maresca says there is “no doubt” players are being asked to play too many games.

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has revealed that Reece James’ return from injury has been delayed. James has been dogged by hamstring injuries and is yet to feature this season. Maresca has now said there is no scheduled return date for the full-back.