Next season’s league campaign due to start on September 12, with Wolves potentially playing until August 21 if they reach Europa League final
Last Updated: 05/08/20 4:01pm
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Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is concerned about the number of games his side may have to play in a short space of time
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is concerned about the number of games his side may have to play in a short space of time
Wolves head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has urged the Premier League to give teams in Europe an extended break to protect their players.
The Molineux boss has echoed Chelsea manager Frank Lampard in suggesting squads will need more time to recover from their European exploits.
Wolves host Olympiacos on Thursday in their Europa League last-16 tie having drawn 1-1 in Athens in March.
With next season’s Premier League campaign due to start on September 12, Wolves could be playing in Europe until August 21 if they reach the final which Nuno believes is too much.
0:34 Nuno wants the Premier League to revert to its normal rules of three substitutes and no water breaks next season
He said: “I’m hopeful the Premier League will look at that and allow the teams involved a little bit more time.
“Mainly because of the players – they need time. We know we have a tight schedule next season and they must be aware of the health of the players and must take care of them.
“The Premier League should acknowledge the teams involved in Europe, depending on how far they go, as the players require more time to recover. We are going to play in August and we’re going to start playing again in September.
“I’m sure they will look at it and adjust the schedule.
“For sure, no team will be able to give too much time for the players to recover.
“It’s why we’re approaching it as a continuation of what we’ve been doing so we’re prepared to start again.
“It can’t be a stop and go – we have to adjust. Everything has been disturbed by the pandemic so we have to look at the continued process through the year.”
The winners of Thursday’s tie will face a one-legged quarter-final against Roma or Sevilla in Germany, where the competition is being finished off in one-off games behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“We can be very happy with the season so far and we have to do our best to end it in Europe as well.
“We’ve had some rest and days off. It’s very important to reload the batteries and be 100 per cent ready. Let’s hope we can win and go to the next stage.”
