This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has expressed concerns about the Premier League's September 12 start date, stating that it is too early for his players to begin the new season.
Published on August 3, 2020, Lampard's comments come after Chelsea's FA Cup final loss to London rivals Arsenal on Saturday.
The Blues will have just 35 days to recover and prepare for the new season, even if they exit the Champions League competition against Bayern Munich.
Manchester City, Manchester United, and Wolves are also still involved in European competitions, with the Champions League final scheduled for August 23 and the Europa League ending on August 21.
Lampard has lost several key players to injury, including Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Christian Pulisic, who suffered hamstring problems during the FA Cup final.
“Even in a worst-case scenario, we don’t go through against Bayern, the 12th feels too early for me for the players to start playing again,” Lampard said.
He implored the Premier League to ensure that clubs start the next season with a level playing field, saying, “I would like to think the Premier League would look seriously at that. Hopefully they give us a fair start next season. We deserve to be (given a fair start) as a Premier League club competing in the Champions League.”
