Timing in England remains controversial and opinions abound. Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson complains that no one is protecting the players and is accompanied by Jurgen Klopp, his coach. Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick does not understand why the League Cup continues in England and is asking for the five alternatives to be entered. Pep Guardiola goes further and suggests the strike, as long as the players and coaches do not hear.

“Should the players and coaches come together and strike? Words won’t solve anything. For FIFA, the Premier League and TV stations, work is more important than our well-being,” said the Manchester City coach.

For Guardiola, the Premier League’s resistance to allowing five substitutions is a perfect example of this. It was the clubs themselves that requested a return to the three amendments, one of the few exceptions on the world stage. “Everyone has five alternatives, here there are still three. Tell me an argument that protects the health of the players more than this. Here, everyone decides for us”, accused Guardiola.

The City coach does not want a radical scenario, but is asking for changes. “We want to keep playing, that’s what we love to do,” Guardiola said.

He cautions that boxing day lore is not the problem. “That’s what makes this league so unique, I didn’t change it for anything,” adds the Spaniard. The problem is the increase in games throughout the year. “The problem is the games, the calendars. 365 days a year, many games and competitions, as well as selections. Players have two to three weeks of summer break and then start over. We now have five or six games postponed in different teams. The Manchester City boss added. In a preview of Leicester’s game, Sunday, we have to adapt to this situation in the next two weeks.