At the age of 23, Cole Palmer is – in many respects – at his physical peak. And it’s a good job, given how many games he has had to play already in his short career. During the 2024/25 season, Palmer has played 54 times for club and country – a staggering 3,560 minutes of action. That will be extended further by Chelsea’s Club World Cup exploits this June and July, which could amount to between three and seven more games.
All of which means that Palmer will have a week or two off – at best – before he takes part in Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies at home and overseas. That’s a tough workload, but then factor in that the 23-year-old played 44 games (more than 3,000 minutes) for club and country in 2023/24, including the major disappointment in the final of EURO 2024.
Is it any wonder that these young players are unable to produce their best form week in, week out?Other major footballing nations in Europe, including Germany, Spain and France, have a winter break each January. While that doesn’t lessen a player’s overall workload during the season, at least it gives them an opportunity to rest and refresh over a period of a few weeks – thus lowering their risk of fatigue-related injuries such as muscle pulls and tears.
The idea that the Premier League should have its own winter break – as well as mandatory time off for players in the summer, rather than jetting off on money-making exhibition tours – has been mooted for a while… and is now supported by a breakthrough new study.
Taking a Break
The global players’ union, Fifpro, is, understandably, keen to secure the very best working conditions for its members. They commissioned a study of more than 70 medical professionals and performance experts, who – after examining data and qualitative evidence – agreed that players should have a mandatory four-week break during the off-season.
Amongst the other recommendations, designed to protect players from the threat of ‘exhaustion and excessive workload’, included mandatory mid-season breaks and a four-week period of ‘retraining’ before competitive games. Introducing the research, Fifpro’s medical director – Professor Vincent Gouttebarge – commented:
This study presents safety standards based on the considered and independent opinions of medical and performance experts working in professional football who understand the mental and physical strain placed on players.
Fifpro has already lodged a legal complaint with the European Commission over what it describes as FIFA’s ‘abuse of dominance’ of the football calendar, which would violate European competition law if proven. Football unions from across the world have joined with Fifpro’s legal battle, with Umberto Calcagno – the president of the Italian Footballers’ Association – suggesting that the sport is ‘eating itself’. He said,
The players know this situation very well. They know how important it is not only to protect their health but also the merit of their national championship.
Why Doesn’t English Football Have a Winter Break?
Since the 2019/20 season, the professional ranks of English football have had a winter break… of sorts. The Premier League has instigated a two-week break from competitive action. But some clubs have chosen to use the blank dates on their calendar to schedule FA Cup third round ties or replays. However, the winter break was scrapped entirely during the 2024/25 season to allow for a longer summer recess – with many top-flight players involved at EURO 2024 and Copa America last summer.
And now, with the expanded Champions League format requiring clubs to play more games in January, it’s unlikely that a wholesale winter break for all Premier League teams will happen again. As for the summer months, it’s up to the behest of individual clubs to decide how long their players have off to recuperate.
Players DO have mandatory holiday entitlement, like any employee up and down the land as per UK employment law, however it is up to each club to decide when this period of leave is taken. So, if they want to embark on a lucrative summer tour to a particular region on the other side of the world, they want their most marketable players to make the trip – meaning no summer holiday for them.
Fatigue + Workload = Injury
It sounds like an almighty paradox, but the more games that footballers play, the lower the quality of the overall ‘product’ for fans of the beautiful game. That’s because the best players are unable to perform as their best selves while tired and/or carrying injuries. Worst still, there is scientific evidence that the higher the workload of the player, the more time they spend on the treatment table.
As muscles and joints grow tired, they become more prone to ‘neuromuscular function’; an output of reduced strength and stability in movements like sprinting, changing direction and jumping up for – and landing from – aerial duels.
A high percentage of muscle injuries are as a result of overstretching or overloading, which becomes more prevalent as the body gets tired due to over-exertion. The point is proven by the number of injuries picked up later in games – one study in American found that in boys’ and girls’ competitive soccer, 65% and 62% of injuries respectively were suffered in the second half of games.
A second study confirmed that the amount of ‘torque’ in the hamstring specifically decreases over time in a game, concluding that ‘the fatigued player may be more susceptible to both muscle strain and joint injuries.’ More games means more injuries, which means more star players missing big games… which means that their clubs, supporters and TV viewers alike are hurt.
Reverse engineering the problem, here’s an interesting conclusion from a study into the number of injuries suffered after a shortened winter break (down to three-and-a-half weeks from six-and-a-half) in German football during the 2009/10 season:
The shortened winter break was associated with increased numbers of training and knee injuries. A trend toward an increased number of more severe injuries (requiring time loss >7 days) was also evident.
Isn’t it time that football’s authorities took their scheduling issues seriously in a bid to enhance the sport further?
