No one should mock Chelsea’s extensive squad now. Given the current tight schedule and the frequency of player injuries, a healthy club truly needs a deep roster. From club competitions to national team duties, a player’s physical capacity is limited. However, FIFA and UEFA’s continuous increase in the number of events has pushed players’ physical fitness and fatigue to the limit, significantly raising the risk of injuries, seriously threatening players’ health, and reducing the quality of the games.
So far this season, many core players from top clubs have yet to return. Rodri previously complained about the heavy competition and fatigue, and then the Spaniard got injured in a game, allowing him to get a complete rest during this period. The injury issues that Chelsea faced at the beginning of the season, which were questioned by outsiders, have now become a major advantage for the Blues in multi-line operations.
Given the current size of Chelsea’s squad, many key players, including Palmer, have not been registered for the UEFA Cup. This means that Chelsea’s core players only need to handle the intensity of one game per week, at least in the first half of the season. Meanwhile, coach Maresca has made it clear that competition within the team is fierce, and playing opportunities depend on the players themselves. This has greatly motivated Chelsea’s young players, and a team full of healthy competition will naturally achieve good results.
Now, fans are looking at their own team’s growing injury list and facing Chelsea, which can still field several lineups, they must be full of envy.