Chelsea told to rest Mason Mount following Euro 2020 final

Mason Mount celebrates at Euro 2020

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has told club managers to be empathetic towards their players who featured in Euro 2020, especially those that played through the latter stages of the tournament. 

The new Premier League season kicks off on the 13th of August, just five weeks after Italy triumphed over England in the final of the European Championships. 

Pre-season training is already underway with players who were not involved in summer tournaments with a number of friendlies lined up to prepare the teams for a long season ahead.

Copa America and Euro 2020 followed a frantic season that saw fixture congestion compressed due to the coronavirus pandemic, without a reduction in number of matches played.

Players are at risk of injury along with exhaustion following the physical toll the last year has had with many Italy and England stars playing upwards of 60 matches across just 10 months.

Martin Keown has insisted that Premier League bosses keep that in mind as they prepare for the season ahead using Chelsea star Mason Mount as a key example. 

The midfielder was key to Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea sides last season, which earned him a starting role for Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020 where he played a full 90' in five of England's seven matches.

Keown said on talkSPORT: 'Who is protecting the players? I am looking at statistics here on Mason Mount who has played 68 games between 12 September and 11 July.

Mason Mount ends Sergio Ramos

'He is going to have five weeks before the start of the season, so what does he do? Take a two-week holiday?

'The players who have played to the latter stages of the tournament are going to need time to readjust this season.

'The players have had a compressed season due to Covid and they need some escape.

'It is a joy and an honour for players to represent England at Wembley at this stage but we need to make sure they are looked after and have a break.'

Arsene Wenger was always ahead of the curve with player welfare. Keown revealed the former Arsenal boss always guaranteed his players a certain amount of time off to allow them to recuperate and be fresh for the new season.

'I was lucky to have a manager who was sensible and who promised me a month off regardless of what happened - two weeks to have a break, and two weeks of an intense fitness regime,' added Keown.

'For athletes, they should be in touch with their body constantly and that pain from exercising should be their best friend - if that becomes an enemy, you are in trouble.

'These players need some space as they are in a pressure cooking where everyone is demanding and expecting that they win.

'Next season we are going to see four or five more games than before due to Europe, so I would like to see this new, modern PFA that we have to negotiate more space for the players.'

Keown continued: “Do the squads need to be bigger?

'Nobody appears to be thinking about the welfare of the players, and that is a big concern for me.

'Managers have to do that; they have to ensure that the likes of Mason Mount are used more sparingly at the start of next season.

'That has got to happen.'

While Mount is central to Tuchel's plans, it might be best for both the player and team if he is afforded additional down time.