SUPPORTERS are bound to like more top-class football. But the players? Not so much. 2 Karren Brady insists Uefa chiefs need to listen to the players Credit: Getty 2 The new Champions League format has added even more fixtures Credit: EPA A number of them are so tired at the thought of an expanded football programme in Europe and to an extension of the Club World Cup next summer that they are threatening to strike.
The people who pay to watch ask: Why? Premier League stars are millionaires and the demand for additional Continental matches means greater fame and bigger earnings. Players understand this reaction but as Aston Villa captain John McGinn pointed out after the win over Young Boys in a freshly minted Champions League: “At times, the mental side of things you need to switch off. Read More on Football MAN ALIVE Man City face being expelled from all comps if guilty of alleged rule breaches KAL TO ARMS Chelsea CL winner, 39, comes out of retirement to join second division club “It is hard to churn them out when you are playing 70-plus games a season and then internationals.
There’s not a lot of time to rest.” Uefa have added two extra fixtures — it could be four for some — to a competition which had been a straightforward formula of sorting out the better teams from leagues of four clubs. The new arrangement opens with a league of 36 clubs — a magical confusion of ties in four sections each between clubs of similar standards before knockout matches begin with play-offs just to get into the Last 16.
I don’t know about player fatigue, my own mental side is pretty tired at that lot. Most read in Champions League TRAGIC FIND Body found in search for missing Channel 4 star as map reveals last sighting SMASH TRAGEDY Man, 32, killed in horror crash as Scots road set to be shut for hours SPUR OF THE MOMENT Rangers return for Ange Postecoglou 'in doubt' according to bookies 'HE WAS OURS ONCE' Gers fans sad after old hero's spectacular Champions League strike BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S You might also wonder about the reason behind this restructuring. Cynics are even suggesting extra profits will appease the Super League rebel crew and circumnavigate any possible future revolution.
Uefa and Fifa made the decision that the plot should be altered. Next summer the refashioned Club World Cup will take its bow and among the clubs competing are Chelsea and Manchester City. Rodri sensationally claims players are close to STRIKING over schedule after Alisson says 'our opinion does not matter' City are going to have a busy summer.
No wonder midfielder Rodri talked in strike terms, adding that 40 to 50 matches should be about maximum for a season. He played 63 competitive games for club and country last season, and featured for 5,598 minutes between July 2023 and July 2024, including pre-season friendlies. If Rodri is feeling the effects, spare a thought for team-mate Phil Foden, who played 69 competitive games last term and 72 in all.
Some will say City are victims of their own success but that success is becoming a punishment for the players. And it’s only going to get worse. It’s expected with Prem games, domestic cup competitions, Europe, internationals and the Club World Cup, City’s players could play up to 85 times this season.
No wonder the players are concerned about their own well-being. No one else seems to be giving it a thought. Players need to be heard Whilst the men in suits and white trainers sit in Switzerland and extend the football calendar, no one even bothered to seek the opinion of the players.
Liverpool No 1 Alisson said: “Nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games, so maybe our opinion doesn’t matter.” That’s woeful, as it should matter the most. As the PFA pointed out: “Players and their unions have asked to be listened to.
“When they are ignored, the natural consequence is that players will begin to consider all options. Read more on the Scottish Sun REALLY WILD School pupil allowed to identify as WOLF in first case of its kind in Scotland 'TOTAL CHAOS' Scots beauty spot CLOSED two days in a row as campervans gridlock narrow road “Players are repeatedly saying enough is enough and this must act as a serious wake-up call to authorities.” I don’t expect a strike but it is reasonable for the men in shorts to ask the men in suits to listen to them.
.
