"Top players struggling with fitness issues was foreseeable before the first edition of Fifa's expanded tournament took place. The worst idea ever, was Jurgen Klopp's take, citing concerns over the long-term impact of squeezing even more football into an ever expanding calendar. Last year it was the Copa [America] and the European Championship, this year it's the Club World Cup, next year it's the World Cup. That means no recovery for the players involved."
"The 23-year-old was the inspiration for Chelsea at the Club World Cup, destroying Dembele's Paris Saint-Germain in the final, but he has barely been seen this season. The suspicion is that Palmer has played too much. He has been troubled by a groin injury for a year and although there is yet to be any indication that the forward requires surgery it is hard not to feel that he is, as Arsene Wenger used to say of Jack Wilshere, in the red zone."
FIFA's expanded calendar, including the Club World Cup and a 48-team World Cup, has intensified fixture congestion and reduced player recovery time. The schedule was already strained by Covid-19 disruptions, the 2022 winter World Cup, and Champions League expansion. Fifpro warned about rising injuries and player burnout, yet more matches have been added. The packed calendar risks long-term physical harm and diminished performances for top players. Cole Palmer exemplifies the strain: his standout Club World Cup form has been followed by limited appearances and a year-long groin problem, raising concerns about overuse and player welfare.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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