England begin their World Cup campaign on June 17, but with other countries already feeling the effects of football’s hectic schedule, manager Thomas Tuchel will have to work hard on the fitness of his key players until then.
Thomas Tuchel cannot ignore other countries’ problems (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Fifty days from today, England will play their opening World Cup match against Croatia. And Thomas Tuchel’s biggest headaches are injuries, fatigue and his withdrawal from the England squad due to a trip to the United States.
Football is in serious danger of undermining itself due to the sheer number of games, pressure on players and outright greed. Players are being pushed to the limit and we will soon be killing the golden goose.
This is a concern not only for England but also for top nations such as Spain, who are struggling to maintain the fitness of one of the world’s most exciting teenagers in Lamine Yamal. Real Madrid star Rodrygo is a big doubt for Brazil, and there are countless other stars who will miss the competition, such as Xavi Simons.
Common themes are too many games, too many demands and a 12-month football calendar. Chelsea star Cole Palmer was left “shattered” after the Club World Cup, according to Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango.
World Cup Legends: The stars of soccer’s biggest tournament in history – buy the special edition now
read more: England icon Sir Geoff Hurst still active at 84 after several different careers
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice could be set for a 70-game season. Other England players such as Reece James and Bukayo Saka have had care issues throughout the season.
Why on earth would we want to run a prestigious tournament like the World Cup, where players have to walk around the pitch in scorching temperatures and difficult climates? We want fast, exciting football with skill and intensity. It’s not walking football. If we’re not careful, this can happen unless players can recharge somehow.
The World Cup should be the best. It’s going to be a great tournament. Don’t get me wrong about that. Despite everything, it’s going to be a great show. But we also want the show’s stars to stay in great shape.
Will England win the World Cup? Let us know your predictions in the comments section.
Xavi Simons withdraws from World Cup due to anterior cruciate ligament injury (Image: Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
We’re putting too much stress on our players and someday, maybe this summer, we’re going to wake up and realize we’re ruining the game. In recent years, England have seen the likes of Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and David Beckham miss out on tournaments.
English football, especially the Premier League, is fast, physical and demanding. Some players play karate, making the match a war of attrition rather than skill. This is a big concern for England manager Tuchel, as he will be keenly aware that his players will be heading to America after a difficult season.
They are tired and prone to injury. Fatigued players are more prone to muscle injuries. But doctors also believe that tired players are more likely to suffer serious injuries, such as to the anterior cruciate ligament.
This is a big concern for England. Because can they really carry out their own justice? Look at players like Morgan Rogers. He had a revelation in the autumn and looked as if he was ready to start for England in the number 10 role.
Morgan Rodgers has played 4,427 minutes for club and country this season (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
But Rodgers went into the March international break having played more minutes than any other England player, and unsurprisingly, his form dipped. The World Cup should be the pinnacle for any player, and 50 days after kick-off in England, the worry is not whether Tuchel and his players are good enough.
Rather, it is how many of them are left alone. This is a very unfortunate situation, and I am worried about this beautiful game.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
