ROBBIE SAVAGE COLUMN: Professional footballers are subjected to a rigorous schedule; however, the potential for chaos arises if the most accomplished players execute their strike plans.
Players will not go on strike due to the excessive number of games they play.
I am unsure if the public would support elite footballers who earn £200,000 per week to kick a ball around. However, clubs have the option of eliminating inconsequential pre-season “prestige” friendlies that are played halfway around the world or long-haul end-of-season excursions in order to alleviate the workload on their squads.
Rodri, the midfielder for Manchester City, and Alisson Becker, the goalkeeper for Liverpool, both suggested that the rigorous schedule is causing the best players to reach a breaking point. I can empathize with their apprehensions.
However, what are the implications for the supporters in the event that athletes go on strike? I am uncertain as to whether they would endorse industrial action.
In addition, I do not believe that the genuine issue is the number of games played in a season, which is 70 or 75. The journey between them is the one that truly throws you off balance.
This is the reason why the process of traveling through multiple time zones to the Far East, Australia, or the United States on pre-season visits to promote the “brand” of Premier League clubs is so taxing. The cause of your fatigue is not the football; it is the jetlag.
Cristian Romero, a Tottenham defender, posted on social media that he was fatigued during the north London derby. The post implied that his exhaustion was caused by Spurs failing to arrange a private aircraft for his return from international duty in South America.
I am uncertain as to whether Romero’s decision to permit Arsenal defender Gabriel a free header for the Gunners’ victory last weekend was significantly influenced by his decision to travel home in business class on a scheduled airline rather than a private aircraft.
Additionally, I found it amusing that certain commentators rationalized Liverpool’s home loss to Nottingham Forest by suggesting that the players may have been fatigued from international obligations. Would it be possible to acknowledge Forest’s first victory at Anfield since 1969, despite the fact that 13 players were abroad playing for their respective countries?
However, on a broader scale, it is likely that many individuals are unaware of the extent to which the travel depletes the energy of players, particularly those who are required to manage the strain and stress of winning games at the highest level of their profession.
Take a look at Arsenal’s week – it is challenging on the field by any standard, with a north London derby, a challenging Champions League journey to Italy, and a potential title conclusion at Manchester City all within 8 days.
They will have commenced their journey with an overnight hotel stay prior to the Tottenham game, which will be accompanied by all the pomp and circumstance that is associated with a significant derby. They will then have warmed up on Monday and subsequently flown to Italy on Wednesday to face Atalanta on Thursday night.
The Gunners, if they were fortunate, will have boarded a chartered flight home a few hours after the final siren and arrived at their own bedrooms at 3 a.m. on Friday. Subsequently, they would have engaged in a brief workout before traveling to Manchester for an additional overnight stay in anticipation of the significant match at City.
A grueling schedule, even for privileged, cosseted, and well-paid footballers, is three nights away, followed by a 3 a.m. return home, all within the span of eight days.
Rio Ferdinand witnessed Aston Villa defeat Young Boys in the Champions League in Bern, returned home to report on City’s goalless draw with Inter Milan, and then attended Arsenal’s match in Bergamo 24 hours later. This is not significantly different from the experience of TV commentators.
Indeed. A life of privilege is enjoyed at the pinnacle of the football world; however, do not be deceived by those who claim it is effortless.
Strike action would not resolve any issues, as it would result in a complex situation involving the players’ union, attorneys, and contracts. Additionally, participating in 75 or 80 games annually is exceedingly taxing; however, it is a necessary cost of success.
