Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta believes a "crazy" schedule is the reason why so many players are suffering injuries in the run-up to the start of the World Cup, after Manchester United centre-back Raphael Varane was forced off during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Varane, who has been a colossus at the back for United so far this season, was forced off on the hour mark after landing awkwardly when stretching to rob the ball off the toes of Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Frenchman was evidently in significant pain and was struggling to hold back the tears as he raised his head from the turf.
Although United, at the time of writing, are yet to confirm the extent of the former Real Madrid man's injury, there is a general feeling that he will be sidelined for several weeks, potentially ruling him out of the World Cup in Qatar. It is a huge blow for France, just as it is for United, meaning they will be weakened by his expected absence.
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Should Varane's fears be confirmed and he does miss the World Cup, he will join a growing list of big-name stars not heading to the tournament. Liverpool's Diogo Jota and Alexander Isak of Newcastle United have already been ruled out of the competition, while there are still doubts over England pair Kyle Walker and Reece James.
And for Chelsea captain Azpilicueta, it is the hectic run of fixtures that almost every club is in the midst of that is contributing to a higher number of injury problems.
Azpilicueta said: "It's difficult and it's sad because as players you want to go to the World Cup, but we have this schedule where we have to play for our club and do our best. We are fighting a lot for player welfare because the schedule is crazy.
"Sometimes we have to consider everything and I think we are in conversations with FIFA. It's difficult because I understand that the fans want to see football.
"We have five subs now but we have in our team a couple of injuries that make it more difficult to rotate. We are playing every few days, but it's how it is and we have to step up."
United have already played seven times this month and have another two fixtures to fulfil before October draws to a close. By the end of the month they will have played nine games in the space of just 29 days, with their longest break between matches standing at just four days.
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