Cesc Fabregas has taken a light-hearted dig at the Premier League for not introducing a mid-season winter break when he was still playing in England.
The Spanish midfielder enjoyed a successful career in the Premier League with Arsenal and Chelsea, before moving to Monaco in January 2019.
Unlike clubs across Europe, Premier League clubs played throughout the winter months during Fabregas' 13-year stint in London.
But starting from this season, teams have been allocated a two-week rest in between games to fall in line with other European leagues, amid concerns that the top sides' hectic schedules could lead to serious risk of injury and burnout and affect the national team's prospects.
One critic of the Premier League has been Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who missed the Reds' recent 1-0 FA Cup replay win over Shrewsbury as it fell during the mid-season break.
The decision has sparked controversy with some labelling Klopp's decision as disrespectful to the competition, but the Reds boss stood by his stance and insisted his decision made sense with the authorities to blame for not giving players more of a break.
"What difference would it make? Why should I be there?" he said before Liverpool's recent win against West Ham.
"On the football side it is clear and the other thing is we have to make a stand.
"I really don't understand that I should be in the directors box just because people pay money to watch the game. If we react how we always react and find a way to do it, then nothing will change.
"I decided three weeks ago we would have a mid-season break based on a letter we got [from the FA] in April 2019. Although it was not in the beginning, it is now a principle thing."
Fabregas appeared to agree with the Liverpool manager, taking to social media to air his surprise that it has taken so long for the top flight to introduce a mid-season break.
He posted on Twitter: '17 seasons ago I started to play in the Premier League, never even a little break during the season.
'First year I move away and they start having winter break! Fantastic,' followed by a confused and laughing emoji.
