FIFA were accused of “turning a blind eye to the basic needs of players” in a statement issued by world players’ union FIFPRO last year as players remain fearful about speaking out on workloads.
This came after the Club World Cup where teams such as Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain went head-to-head in extreme heat after an already exhausting season.
Now, Molango has spoken out on player welfare once again as he uses Palmer as an example of a player who is being pushed to the very limit by an intense football calendar.
“For us the concern is, of course, player welfare because for me when I look at someone like Cole Palmer. Cole Palmer could go if he goes to the World Cup three consecutive summers without a break.
“To go for a 10-week window with the national team and then within four days be expected to be in the US to play the Club World Cup that finishes on the 14th of July to then be back within two weeks for training... I was the training camp of Chelsea when they came back they were shattered.
“This is just the reality. You wonder whether this is what we wanted as an industry. I'm not sure. I think sometimes we need to be honest with ourselves and understand that sometimes less is more.
“People say he's a millionaire, yeah he is, but it doesn't give you an extra lung or an extra leg, and come to a stage where you know, 'I want to see Cole Palmer on the pitch because he's the one who makes me dream'.”
Without the players there is ultimately no product and as players are pushed further and further with more games, there could be a breaking point very soon that may include strikes and more regulation.