Very well said Graham. Very difficult to see the real long term benefit of this, apart from the €. I love football but I had very little motivation to watch any games in this tournament. I really hope I’m wrong, but will we look back at the end of next season and see Real Madrid and other teams drop off due to sheer exhaustion and possibly deal with long term serious injuries to key players. Something has to give. I hope you enjoy your time in Sweden Graham and your own very well earned break.
Because some players will have played in the Euros, the full football calendar, now the CWC, back to the full season again and later on the WC there should be some type of breaking point where enough is enough.
I agree with your take, including your feelings for the competition at large. I agree with the need for more rest for players, the antics of the tournament itself and how some at the leadership level across stakeholders took it as a popularity contest, etc.
I know the fans may or may not agree. I know how some clubs feel and others don't.
My question is about players and coaches: how come we are not seeing MORE criticism on their end? I watched the entirety of Maresca's post-match press conference and was disappointed to hear he had told his team that "He expects this tournament to be bigger than the UCL". Others like Luis Enrique itself have praised it, too.
With so many questions on injuries, the exhaustion of 11 month seasons, and the 48-72 hours breaks between matches themselves, and if you add that things like the Players' Union exist, why aren't they speaking out more, or just flat out going into a strike?
Is it the added money from these tournaments, which in this example is an absurd amount? Is it that this is how they get to ask for more wages?
I would love to see players speak up more, managers do the same, and unions support those voices. To get the paycheck (on top of the paycheck), not break enough, then get injured and complain won't do anything. There is a need for louder voices from managers and players themselves, if they truly feel like that.
That's all--cheers Graham and thank you for the conversation.
PS--When it comes to Arsene, agreed as well. Die a hero or become the villain sort of thing.
Brilliantly phrased. Insufficient push back from coaches and players. Money anaesthetises a little bit, sadly, but I think voices are growing - or at least tolerance is dropping.
Agreed, Graham. Let’s hope it doesn’t take a half dozen long-term injuries due to fatigue to do something about it. Millions help with some things, but not with others. For now glad this summer tournament is over and there can be time to rest.
Very well said Graham. Very difficult to see the real long term benefit of this, apart from the €. I love football but I had very little motivation to watch any games in this tournament. I really hope I’m wrong, but will we look back at the end of next season and see Real Madrid and other teams drop off due to sheer exhaustion and possibly deal with long term serious injuries to key players. Something has to give. I hope you enjoy your time in Sweden Graham and your own very well earned break.
Sooner than end of season I fear D!
Couldn't have put it better myself Graham, spot on as always. 👏
Because some players will have played in the Euros, the full football calendar, now the CWC, back to the full season again and later on the WC there should be some type of breaking point where enough is enough.
I’m looking forward to this
Theres no way to sum it up better. A great take!
I agree with your take, including your feelings for the competition at large. I agree with the need for more rest for players, the antics of the tournament itself and how some at the leadership level across stakeholders took it as a popularity contest, etc.
I know the fans may or may not agree. I know how some clubs feel and others don't.
My question is about players and coaches: how come we are not seeing MORE criticism on their end? I watched the entirety of Maresca's post-match press conference and was disappointed to hear he had told his team that "He expects this tournament to be bigger than the UCL". Others like Luis Enrique itself have praised it, too.
With so many questions on injuries, the exhaustion of 11 month seasons, and the 48-72 hours breaks between matches themselves, and if you add that things like the Players' Union exist, why aren't they speaking out more, or just flat out going into a strike?
Is it the added money from these tournaments, which in this example is an absurd amount? Is it that this is how they get to ask for more wages?
I would love to see players speak up more, managers do the same, and unions support those voices. To get the paycheck (on top of the paycheck), not break enough, then get injured and complain won't do anything. There is a need for louder voices from managers and players themselves, if they truly feel like that.
That's all--cheers Graham and thank you for the conversation.
PS--When it comes to Arsene, agreed as well. Die a hero or become the villain sort of thing.
Brilliantly phrased. Insufficient push back from coaches and players. Money anaesthetises a little bit, sadly, but I think voices are growing - or at least tolerance is dropping.
Agreed, Graham. Let’s hope it doesn’t take a half dozen long-term injuries due to fatigue to do something about it. Millions help with some things, but not with others. For now glad this summer tournament is over and there can be time to rest.
Understood….
La liga with 3 relevant clubs, and a Continental tournment are more important than being World champions….
Dont be ridiculous