Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has expressed bitter disappointment over his team’s fixture congestion, while also questioning the English FA’s general scheduling.
The Blues face West Ham this evening, before traveling to the Czech Republic to face Slavia Prague on Thursday.
“It’s very strange,” Sarri told English media.
“I am not able to understand the decision of the Premier League for us to play on Monday, because we have to go to Prague as an English team.
“I think they could have done more for the English teams in Europe. Not just for us, but all the teams involved in Europe.
To support a club’s European commitments, the former Napoli man took the moment to reveal how fixtures are set in his native Italy.
“In Italy, teams play on Friday before a European game. If a team is involved in the Europa League away from home, they can then ask to play their next Serie A match on a Monday.
“It’s a Premier League decision. And they showed in the last season that they are the best because they are able to sell English football in the best way. The salary is not so important for me,” concluded the 60-year-old.