FOOTBALLERS are playing too many games and not enough is being done to protect them, according to Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca today.

In the same week that Manchester City’s Rodri suggested footballers could strike in response to fixture congestion and a lack of consultation from governing bodies, Maresca said that refusing to play “could be an idea” and hinted he believes players would be right to take action against the number of games they are being made to play.

Chelsea and City are due to take part in Fifa’s inaugural Club World Cup in the United States next summer, further limiting the amount of downtime players will get in between seasons following Euro 2024 and ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Asked whether he felt there were too many games in the current football calendar, Maresca said: “Yes, no doubt.

“In terms of games, it’s too much. I don’t think we protect players. We can say what we think and for me it’s completely wrong the amount of games that we have.

“The only ones that can do something are the players and we can help them. In the last two weeks some of the players have tried to explain what they think. I think it’s a good starting point.

“Some of them have said [they could strike]. I think it could be an idea for them.”

Maresca will still be without injured captain Reece James for Saturday’s trip to West Ham, with the 24-year-old yet to feature this season, while Malo Gusto, who would be his most obvious replacement, is also out.

It marks continuation of what has been a hugely frustrating spell for the England international, having seen each of the last two seasons badly disrupted by injury.

Of James’s recovery, Maresca said: “It’s a bit delayed. The most important thing for any injury is that they come back when they’re 100 per cent fit.

“Unfortunately we don’t have an idea [of a return date] at the moment. In terms of injury in the past, we always hope we can find the right solution. He’s been very unlucky.”

Chelsea have one of the largest first-team squads in Europe but Maresca has been ruthless in trimming down the number of players with whom he works and considers available for selection.

The head coach, who has seen his team win two of their four Premier League matches since taking charge, said he is satisfied with the versatility and depth of his options and pointed to the example of Christopher Nkunku, the match winner last time out against Bournemouth, who has been forced to settle for substitute appearances in the last three games.

“The players we have are versatile,” said Maresca. “We can use Christo as a nine, in the pocket. He doesn’t like to play wide, he prefers to be more in the centre. But for balance, sometimes they have to play in a position that is not the best for them.

“Christo played wide [in the 2-0 defeat] against City. The important thing is that they adapt and give their best.”