adminLONDON. – The Premier League has come to a halt in order to give way for the first winter World Cup in Qatar.
The top level of English domestic football will resume on 26 December – but until then, clubs are having to adapt in this most unusual of seasons.
Several clubs have sent players whose nations did not qualify for Qatar for a break.
At Manchester City, players are off until 5 December on holiday – they’ll keep their fitness topped up, but there will be no official training.
This is a theme at other clubs.
Newcastle United have given their players time off, although they will not be completely switched off – players are given a less intensive regime to work on to keep fitness.
At Brighton, players are off training until 28 November, while those at Brentford have an extra two days – they return on 30 November.
Everton players, meanwhile, will be given a short break after they return from their winter tour to Australia, with full training resuming in early December.
Managers have spoken about the need to balance taking advantage of the season break to give players a rest, while ensuring there is no holiday hangover come 26 December.
At his first news conference as Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, Julen Lopetegui said: “It’s good now to enjoy with the World Cup, to rest a little bit, and to work one month and come back again.”
Crystal Palace told BBC Sport a mid-season tour and training dates are still being planned.
This is also the case with Southampton where the sacking of Ralph Hassenhuttl has thrown their break plans up in the air.
New manager Nathan Jones said after the defeat by Liverpool they were still planning in a trip away and some friendlies.
At Chelsea, for example, manager Graham Potter spoke of the need to be adaptable as well as use the break to recover from injuries and take stock of the season.
The members of the Liverpool first-team squad who are not at the World Cup will spend 12 days in the United Arab Emirates, with their domestic schedule now paused until the Carabao Cup tie at Manchester City on 22 December.
Leicester City will also be at a warm-weather camp in Abu Dhabi, before playing at least one behind-closed-doors friendly. – BBC Sport
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter