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That is the warning from PFA boss Maheta Molango, who is alarmed at the increased casualty list across England’s top flight. A staggering 232 Prem games have been missed by players at English clubs in Europe, while the Three Lions lost EIGHT to injury for this week’s Nations League clashes with Greece and Ireland.
Molango said: “Players have been talking for a long time about the impact of the football calendar and fans can see it for themselves when they look at the number of players injured.
“Nobody should want major competitions to just come down to who can get their players out on the pitch.”
England’s lengthy injury list has added to worries that the demands on top stars are getting worse — and could end up being crucial in the title race.
Interim boss Lee Carsley is without Gunners’ Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka and Manchester City duo Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill, Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and Southampton keeper Aaron Ramsdale all pulled out.
John Stones, Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Eberechi Eze were previously ruled out through injury.
And that is BEFORE the ramifications of this year’s final international break, two more rounds of European games, the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and a packed league programme.
That run could mean up to 13 matches in seven weeks for players up to January 1.
City boss Pep Guardiola has seen Rodri KO’d for the campaign, not seen Oscar Bobb all season and spoken of his concerns for Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Nathan Ake and Foden. He admits his side’s title hopes are under threat from the injuries.
And even after the Prem is decided City, along with Chelsea, will be playing in next summer’s expanded Fifa Club World Cup.
But City, whose players have missed 42 games between them in the Prem, are not alone in sparking player welfare fears.
Across Manchester, Erik ten Hag’s pre-sacking complaints about his injury misfortune had some validity.
United players, including both his left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, have missed 57 matches so far.
Incoming Ruben Amorim may be able to change the mood but he cannot wave a magic wand to bring those two, Maguire or Mainoo back any quicker than their bodies can heal.
Injuries are part and parcel of football. Always have been, always will be.
But as PFA chief Maheta Molango points out, extra demands on the biggest stars, with the fixture list becoming increasingly packed and this summer’s 32-team Club World Cup for City and Chelsea, the outcome is almost inevitable. — Sun.
Online Reporter