Fixture congestion has been a topic of discussion among managers in recent years, particularly when it comes to injuries, and Leicester City, along with their Championship rivals, certainly have more of a right to complain than they do.
In England, the current calendar comprises the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and any European games in which clubs are playing. When you include in the mid-season World Cup and any other international games, there are a lot of minutes in the legs for players.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has highlighted the subject this week. “We had a World Cup in the middle of the season; we had a longer season; we also had to play a longer season with FA Cup and Nations League games.” “A shorter break,” he explained.
“Many of my colleagues have mentioned it, and I have mentioned it as well.” But it continues. The timetable is constantly being expanded. Players can’t handle with the overload any longer, and that’s what you see in this group right now.”
United is presently missing eight players due to injuries. Despite the Seagrave curse idea, Leicester City’s injury troubles have been manageable so far this season (touch wood). Anyone remember the FA Cup game against Watford in which half the players appeared to be injured?
It’s all well and well for the ‘big six’ to want reform, but it would be interesting to hear what other Premier League clubs, particularly those in the Championship, think. Yes, the clubs at the top of the table have European football to contend with, but they have the resources to construct a squad capable of meeting those demands.
Surely, the money they spend should fund a squad that is prepared for the rigours of a season that managers are aware of? Would it be so simple for groups with smaller budgets? Yet they are the ones who are quiet.
Championship clubs must deal with 46 league games.
“We have to travel to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup.” I’m sorry, but there are some games where we will play with the second team, with some players, since we cannot with the dangers.”Despite making a lot of alterations to his squad, Guardiola was able to name Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish in his starting lineup against Newcastle. He has assembled a group capable of meeting the challenges, as evidenced by winning the treble last season.
Clubs without such funding do not have the luxury of making so many changes while maintaining the same level of quality. As a result, if they want to advance in cup tournaments, they must risk players, creating a catch-22 position for teams.
Some analysts expressed astonishment when Enzo Maresca made 10 changes against Liverpool, but was there the same reaction when Liverpool made the same amount of changes, despite the fact that both clubs had a similar number of games ahead of them in the coming weeks?
It’s a delicate balance that not only the managers of the top six Premier League clubs must strike. In the final, games come thick and fast, but clubs have fewer resources to deal with it.
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