‘It’s madness’ – Barcelona’s Jules Koundé backs Rodri’s calls for player strike over packed calendar | OneFootball

Luke Entwistle reporting from Monaco

Manchester City midfielder Rodri (28) evoked the idea of a strike in reaction to the increasingly packed schedule. Barcelona’s Jules Koundé (25) has echoed those words.

With the new Champions League format and the upcoming inaugural Club World Cup, there will be an increased load on players. Asked whether palyers could be forced to strike, Spain international Rodri responded, “I think we are close to that […] If you ask any player he will say the same; it is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. It’s the general opinion of the players. And if it keeps this way, there will be a moment where we have no other option. It’s something that worries us because we are the guys that suffer.”

Koundé believes players’ concerns aren’t being heard

Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League opener against AS Monaco, Koundé voiced his support for the idea. “I agree with everything that he (Rodri) said. The calendar gets bigger every year, more games, less rest,” began the France international.

He added, “We have been saying it for three or four years. The protagonists, the players, we aren’t being heard. We will get to a point where we have to go on strike because the truth is that it is the only way to be heard. When you play in the Club World Cup too, there will be even more games, and even less rest. There will be 70 matches a season, which is madness!”

GFFN | Luke Entwistle