Premier League ‘REFUSE’ Chelsea request to move opening fixture with Enzo Maresca’s plans in ruin

THE Premier League have refused to budge when asked if they could change Chelsea’s opening fixture amid concerns around the Blues’ Club World Cup workload.

Chelsea have reached the final of Fifa’s new-look club tournament in the USA, meaning they will play their final stateside game this Sunday – just 34 days before their opening Prem clash.

Chelsea take on Crystal Palace on Sunday August 17 to open their domestic campaign, meaning they have just over a month to allow their players a break and to return for pre-season preparations.

The hectic schedule, in part caused by the extended Club World Cup, has been heavily criticised and Chelsea have asked for the Premier League to lend them a helping hand, according to The Mirror.

It’s claimed that the league’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes, has insisted that they won’t be giving any special treatment to Chelsea or Man City – who also participated in the Club World Cup before their last 16 exit to Al-Hilal last week.

The Premier League chose not to comment when approached by SunSport.

However, SunSport understands that the league feel that the issues of fixture congestion are an example of the challenges faced by domestic leagues as a result of Fifa expanding their calendar.

There’s growing feeling that the issues are being thrown on domestic leagues when there has been no change to the number of fixtures played in the league season.

While domestic cup competitions, such as the FA Cup, have even seen a reduced number of games in recent campaigns following the decision to scrap replays.

It has been confirmed that Chelsea’s opening fixture against Palace will remain on August 17.

Spanish giants Real Madrid, who exited the Club World Cup to PSG in the semi-finals, have also requested to have their opening La Liga fixture moved.

Los Blancos are due to play Osasuna on August 19 and The Athletic claim club officials sent letters to La Liga to request a postponement.

However, reports have since suggested that La Liga have rejected those requests and the fixture is scheduled to go ahead as planned.

Managers at the Club World Cup have been vocal with their concern for what impact the congested fixture list may have on their teams next season.

City boss Pep Guardiola said: “I try not to think about it, otherwise I will be so anxious.

“Maybe in November, December, January, ask me, Pep. I may say: ‘So listen, we are a disaster. We are exhausted. The World Cup destroyed us.’ We will see.”

Chelsea are in line to earn a whopping £97MILLION in prize money should they win Sunday’s final against PSG.