Cole Palmer has been described as a “victim of the calendar” by PFA chief executive Maheta Molango after the Chelsea star withdrew from England duty
Palmer was one of five high-profile England players to pull out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad, with the forward’s absence linked to load management.
The decision has prompted questions about the workload facing elite players, with Molango arguing that Palmer’s situation illustrates the growing physical demands of modern football.
Molango highlights Palmer’s workload
Speaking at the Fifpro performance summit in London, Molango questioned why a player as eager to represent England as Palmer would need to miss international duty.
“When England see five players who need to withdraw when the single most proud moment a player has is to be called up for the national team, you just ask yourself, what’s wrong about the industry?” Molango said.
He then singled out Palmer when explaining the impact of the football calendar on young players.
“You see people like Palmer, someone who would have played four consecutive summers in a row had he gone to the World Cup, and you wonder why is he missing? He’s missing because he’s a victim of the calendar and that’s something that needs to absolutely trigger the alarm bells.”
Palmer’s withdrawal has also frustrated England manager Tuchel, who said the Chelsea forward “misses too many opportunities” to establish himself with the national team.
Molango, however, insisted that players cannot simply ignore the physical limits of their bodies.
“They love to play for England. They love to play for their national team. But unfortunately your body puts a limit to it. You cannot cheat biology,” he said.
PFA wants more protection for players
Molango has called for changes to the football calendar, including a mandatory three-week summer break followed by three weeks of retraining.
He argued that the increasing number of club and international fixtures is putting greater pressure on players and questioned whether the current structure is sustainable.
“What we’ve seen over the last few years is a system that’s sick, that’s ill, because it ultimately revolves around obtaining votes and power consolidation,” Molango said.
He also warned about the consequences if players continue to be pushed beyond their physical limits.
“Is that really the football that we want?” Molango asked. “Is it the football where the people who make us dream just cannot perform? For me it’s very worrying.”