Premier League powerhouses to benefit as Chris Wood calls for strikes against key footballing issue
The Premier League ‘big six’ may be about to benefit after Chris Wood spoke out on a major issue in the game.
Nottingham Forest striker Wood has joined FIFPRO’s Global Player Council, which aims to give footballers a voice on key issues.
One of the top issues footballers face is the scheduling of matches, with UEFA’s new league phase format for European competition causing increased congestion in the calendar.
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoke out about player welfare following the Club World Cup which Chelsea won in the summer.
Chris Wood warns of ‘possible’ strike action on player welfare
As per the Daily Mirror [29 September], Wood believes there could be a possible strike in the future if player welfare is not considered.
“It’s a potential thing I’m sure, but we don’t ever want to get to that point. We want to be able to try and safeguard as early as possible, to prevent anything happening, Wood said.
“As FIFPRO we want to work with FIFA and other governing bodies, to come to a better outcome and protect the players of the future, or the players of now.
“From the Club World Cup into the World Cup next year, there’s not going to be a lot of rest time for a lot of these players.
“And it’s about working together and coming to agreement, or a way of working in the future where we don’t have to go to those extremes, and be able to just see each side’s point of view.”
The clubs who would largely benefit from this would have the most players at the World Cup, mainly the ‘big six’ in the Premier League.
It would give their players longer to rest and Chelsea have already felt the consequences of a short turnaround during the summer.
Chelsea injury problems after Club World Cup win
The Blues’ mixed start to the season could be down to the injury problems they have picked up since their Club World Cup triumph.
Chelsea could only fit in two pre-season fixtures between winning the tournament and the beginning of the Premier League season.
Cole Palmer is injured until after the international break, whilst three other stars are currently also on the sidelines.
| Cole Palmer | Groin Injury |
| Tosin Adarabioyo | Calf Injury |
| Levi Colwill | Knee Injury |
| Liam Delap | Hamstring Injury |
With an extended rest after the Club World Cup perhaps Chelsea would not have encountered injury issues, which may have improved results on the pitch.