According to a report by footballers’ union Fifpro winners Chelsea were among the teams hardest hit by participating in the Club World Cup, exposing their players to greater risk of injury

Reaching the final of the revamped competition in the US this summer left Chelsea with just 13 days of pre-season preparations before beginning the current campaign.

Paris Saint Germain had just 7 days.

Fifpro says the report compiled with consultancy Football Benchmark, underlined its case for the game to adopt minimum 28-day periods of rest and pre-season training.

Chelsea have seen several first team players suffer muscle injuries in the first few weeks of the season, including Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill.