Lampard: It’s unfair for us to start season in six weeks

FRANK LAMPARD wants Chelsea to be exempt from starting next season on September 12 after watching his team’s FA Cup dreams dashed by a spate of injuries. Heading into Saturday’s showpiece, Lampard was without Willian and Ruben Loftus-Cheek who were ruled out just hours before the final. Those problems were compounded during the game, captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Christian Pulisic being lost to muscular injuries before Pedro was taken off on a stretcher with what appeared to be a dislocated shoulder. The three who suffered injuries during the game will almost certainly miss Saturday’s Champions League last-16 second-leg clash at Bayern Munich. They are trailing 3-0 from the first encounter at Stamford Bridge back in February. Clubs have agreed that the 2020-21 season will start on September 12, despite the late finish of this campaign, to allow enough time to complete fixtures before the rescheduled Euro 2020 starts next summer on June 11. But although this season finished for most Premier League clubs eight days ago, Chelsea’s has been extended by at least two weeks owing to their involvement in Saturday’s defeat by Arsenal and their visit to Germany. If Chelsea somehow manage to overturn their three-goal deficit to qualify for the Champions League quarter-finals, then the

Premier League are likely to grant them an extended break. Manchester City, Manchester United and Wolves will be afforded the same privilege if they qualify for the latter stages of their European competitions, with the Premier League agreeing at a meeting last month to provide a minimum 30-day break for those involved in European

football from the quarter-final stage. However, if Chelsea are eliminated this week, Lampard has called on the Premier League to delay the start of his side’s season. ‘I am guessing we will be told when we start and that will be dependent on how we will go against Bayern Munich,’ said Chelsea’s manager. ‘The players need to be given a break to play at the level and the quality product that the Premier League is. ‘Even in a worst case scenario and we don’t go through against Bayern, September 12 feels too early for me. Players need a break. ‘That is why we have pulled two hamstrings and had players pull out of the game. ‘I would like to think the Premier League would look seriously at that and hopefully give us a fair start next season. ‘We deserve it, as a Premier League club competing in the Champions League.’ France defender Benjamin Pavard is likely to be the only injury doubt for Bayern.