Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger fears injuries to some of his World Cup players and feels the Premier League season is kicking off too early.
Wenger has already ruled out World Cup winners Per Mertesacker, Mesut Ozil and Lukas Podolski for the opener against Crystal Palace on Saturday after their late return to training.
With the Champions League final not due to take place until June 6, Wenger feels the Premier League could have followed Spain and Italy by putting back the opening fixtures of the 2014-15 season.
"We are a bit short in our preparation," he said. "We had 11 players at the World Cup. Many of them had longer holidays after that.
"The final of the World Cup was on July 13; the start of the Premier League season is August 16. If you want to give some holiday to the players, your preparation becomes very short.
"We could have done with one week later, with all the competitions.
"If you don't give players enough holiday or enough build-up in their preparation and play them straight away, then they get injured.
"For example you have (Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil pair) Thiago Silva and David Luiz, who came back a bit earlier and played straight away. Thiago Silva is out for a month, David Luiz is injured as well.
"In FIFA rules, you have to give four weeks holiday to the players. They need a breather.
"I have had the experience of post-World Cup years and they are always difficult years to get everyone back to the same level, mentally and physically.
"You look at the results last week. Paris Saint-Germain played a draw at Lens and Monaco, who looked fit here (in the Emirates Cup), lost at home to Lorient.
"It is a bit levelling. Until everyone gets going, it could take some take time for some clubs.
"I focus mainly on the players not at the World Cup. I have a few - (Aaron) Ramsey, (Kieran) Gibbs, (Calum) Chambers - and they are ready because they have had a normal start and are prepared."
