ENZO FERNANDEZ revealed he fell to the floor with dizziness due to the ‘dangerous’ heat at the Club World Cup.
Chelsea’s vice-captain claims he had to take emergency action when extreme temperatures made him feel unwell during a match.
Fifa’s revamped 32-team competition has been dogged by concerns over the timing of the event during summer in the US and afternoon kick-offs that suit European TV schedules.
Argentine Fernandez said: “The truth is, the heat is incredible. The other day I got a little dizzy in the game. I had to throw myself to the ground because I was really dizzy.
“The truth is, playing in that temperature is very dangerous. It’s very dangerous. And, obviously, for the spectacle, for the people who come to enjoy the stadium, and for the people who watch at home, the speed of the game isn’t the same.
“Everything feels very slow. We hope they change the schedule next year so that it’s a spectacle and football continues to be enjoyable and attractive.”
Heatwaves during the early stages of the Club World Cup touched 39 degrees while Chelsea were based in Philadelphia.
Boss Enzo Maresca claimed it was ‘almost impossible’ to train during the day.
Large scale misting fans constantly spray the players and coaches in the dugouts with cold water while matches are going on.
Italian side Juventus claimed ten of their players asked to be substituted because of the extreme heat.
Chelsea’s round of 16 knockout match win over Benfica was held up for almost two hours because of lightning from summer storms.
The US is hosting the 48-team international World Cup next summer when the weather will be much the same.
To have a high-profile player like Fernandez go to such lengths with his complaints is not a good look for the organising body.
Many players have said it is too hot during the day to play to their full potential. Some have said it should not be an excuse.
Fernandez’s team-mate Levi Colwill said: “Everyone is playing in the heat so we can’t make excuses on our side. We’ve just got to handle it.”
Fernandez, 24, was part of the Argentina side which won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – when it was switched to December to make use of cooler daytime temperatures.
Chelsea will cap an impressive season by adding the Club World Cup to the Conference League trophy which they won in May – if they can upset the odds and beat favourites Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday.
Fernandez wears the captain’s armband whenever first-choice skipper Reece James is not available.
He said: “A few years ago I arrived at the club and became captain, and that means I’m doing something right. I’m also very grateful to the coaching staff that selected me.
“The club put their faith in me and today, obviously, the responsibility is to train well every day, be there for my team-mates, and always give my best.
“I like playing in finals. I’ve been lucky enough to win most of them. I’m going to enjoy it. It’s not like the one in the World Cup but it’s going to be enjoyable.
“The truth is I have achieved some very nice things on a personal level but being in a hotel for a month hasn’t been easy at all. Enjoying time with family when I can is very important to me.”
There is good news for Chelsea as it appears key midfielder Moises Caicedo has recovered from an ankle problem which forced him off at the end of the semi-final victory over Fluminense.
Fernandez said: “Today we just started preparing; we rested yesterday.
Moises is fine. He’s definitely going to train. He’s already preparing now.
We have a training session now, and we’re preparing to do our best.”
Read the full article here