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Premier League start date too early for Chelsea: Lampard
Chelsea trail Bayern Munich 3-0 heading into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Saturday and even if they fail to overcome the deficit Lampard's side will have little over a month to recover before the new season begins.
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In this file photo taken on February 25, 2017 Chelsea and England former football player Frank Lampard gestures to the fans on the pitch at half-time during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Swansea at Stamford Bridge in London on February 25, 2017. Frank Lampard was appointed Chelsea head coach on July 4, 2019, confirming a dramatic return for one of the club's greatest ever players. Lampard has signed a three-year contract with Chelsea, where he spent 13 years and became the team's all-time leading scorer with 211 goals.
(AFP/Adrian Dennis)
C
helsea manager Frank Lampard says starting the new Premier League season on Sept. 12 is too early and his players run the risk of sustaining injuries given the short turnaround between campaigns.
Chelsea trail Bayern Munich 3-0 heading into the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Saturday and even if they fail to overcome the deficit Lampard's side will have little over a month to recover before the new season begins.
"I am guessing we will be told when we start and that will be dependent on how we go against Bayern," Lampard told British media on Sunday.
"It is not ideal if we carry on against Bayern - the players need to be given a break to play at the level and the quality product that the Premier League is.
"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."
Cesar Azpilicueta, Christian Pulisic and Pedro picked up injuries during Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by Arsenal in the FA Cup final and Lampard fears other players could meet a similar fate.
"The players need a break. That is why we have pulled two hamstrings and had players pull out of the game before this. I would like to think the Premier League would look seriously at that," he said.
