I read an article the other day which bemoaned the number of matches players are expected to play in a season if they are additionally involved in internationals.
I have to say I totally agree. We had the domestic 2020-21 season followed by the delayed Euro 20 last summer. Before the players involved had time to scratch their rear ends they were thrust into the 2021-22 season with league matches, 2 domestic cup competitions and in some cases European matches too. As soon as all that was over they're now subjected to this pointless Uefa Nations League competition, shortly followed by the next domestic season with a World Cup thrown in for good measure in mid-season.
However much players are paid, isn't there a danger of overdoing things regarding the expectations placed on players, both mentally and physically, to perform consistently at the highest level?
Whose brainwave was it to stuff the football calendar with yet another competition to milk the masses?
Something similar happened with snooker following the sport's explosion of popularity in Asia. The next thing you know it's plane, hotel, tournament - rinse and repeat with no break in between.
There has to be a point where enough is enough and I can't help but feel that football has reached that point now.
I've always assumed that a part of the football authorities' responsibilities was to protect the well-being of their players.
I don't see how another Mickey Mouse tournament does that. I'm more inclined to believe it's nothing more than sheer greed on the part of UEFA to commit those players involved to an unnecessary extension of the season at a time when they should be on holiday, relaxing and re-charging their batteries before returning fresh and enthusiastic for pre-season training in preparation for the new season and everything it entails.
I'd be interested to know what other people think about all this. Is it acceptable or a step too far?
MOT
UEFA's Little Cash Cow
posted on 11/6/22
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 4 minutes ago
Messi and Ronaldo would be the best players around and would run rings around everyone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
considering now they fall over when the wind blows imagine getting lumps kicked out of them every time they touched the ball and would be lucky to get a foul never mind have an opponent booked or sent off. They wouldnt last to half time when the likes of tommy smith, norman hunter ,dave mckay or chopper harris had finished with them
posted on 11/6/22
The likes of Smith, Hunter, McKay and Harris wouldn't get close to them.
posted on 11/6/22
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 3 minutes ago
The likes of Smith, Hunter, McKay and Harris wouldn't get close to them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
why would they hide in the changing rooms, even if they passed one player ready to kick them into the stands there was always another behind him and in those days tackling a player didnt necessarily mean going for the ball or even that the player had to have the ball to begin with. was a different game back then
posted on 11/6/22
And yet alcoholic chain smokers managed. I am sure a super elite athlete like Ronaldo would be alright
posted on 11/6/22
https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/jesse-marschs-unspoken-red-bull-plot-at-leeds-united-taking-shape-as-early-objective-met-3728408
posted on 11/6/22
I notice that the Chelsea crowd are at Molyneux tonight.
posted on 11/6/22
I'm sure if Ronaldo was about in that day and age he'd be as big a drinker and smoke as much as any off them did, the same as if they were in this day and age they'd be fitter and do what they're told to do by their clubs!..
Nothing to say they wouldn't be able to play as good as players off today, the only problem would be if they went down, they'd look out off place rolling about and begging for the ref to shoot the opposing player!..
Something I fecking hate about todays football!..
posted on 12/6/22
comment by LDL-Potato Picker and Proud (U6788)
posted 22 hours, 52 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 4 minutes ago
Messi and Ronaldo would be the best players around and would run rings around everyone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
considering now they fall over when the wind blows imagine getting lumps kicked out of them every time they touched the ball and would be lucky to get a foul never mind have an opponent booked or sent off. They wouldnt last to half time when the likes of tommy smith, norman hunter ,dave mckay or chopper harris had finished with them
----------------------------------------------------------------------
this
posted on 12/6/22
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 22 hours, 46 minutes ago
The likes of Smith, Hunter, McKay and Harris wouldn't get close to them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 18/6/22
"Falling over when the wind blows" reminds me of Francis Lee. George Best is still the most skilful ball player I have ever seen.