Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has revealed his fears amid the gruelling football calendar following the coronavirus pandemic.
Clubs have had much shorter breaks from the end of last season to the new campaign, with City playing nearly every three or four days until the end of 2020.
The Blues are already without strikers Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus due to injuries – and De Bruyne fears that the jam-packed schedule could hit many Premier League players.
The Belgium international midfielder told Sky Sports: “I've played flat out for two years - but nobody listens to the players. It worries me sometimes.
“Especially when I look at my own situation. I have had eight or nine days off. I couldn't go on holiday because my wife was pregnant. I haven't had a holiday.
“If I keep going until the end of the season, I will have been playing for two years without a rest. Your body is screaming out for a rest but nobody listens to the players.
“Everyone says: ‘they earn good money, they've just got to manage’. And that's it, I can put up with those comments. I can see a wave of injuries coming for a lot of players, though, trust me. I always give 100%, I can't play at 80%.”
De Bruyne, 29, who joined City from German side Wolfsburg for £55million in the summer of 2015, is currently away with his country - who have three games in seven days, including Sunday’s UEFA Nations League clash against England.
He has so far this season played six matches including those with the national team, with the international breaks incorporating an even more jam-packed schedule as well.
