Physically and psychologically, this World Cup has placed huge demands on players – and the Premier League restart is just around the corner; a look at the unusual challenge facing the game’s biggest names as they are expected to go again…
The truncated turnaround time been known for some time. It is only now, as England’s players return home contemplating opportunities missed, that the reality of the physical and mental challenge facing them is agonisingly apparent.
Some will hope to carry the momentum back to their clubs, buoyed by an experience that elevated their status. For others, even those anxious to return to the field and create new memories – different memories – the next game might feel jarringly soon.
There is little time to pause and reflect. Thirty-three nights passed between England’s penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the European Championship final at Wembley and the start of the Premier League season. The Boxing Day fixtures are a fortnight away.
Harry Kane has three away days against London clubs within a month of the restart, a trip to Manchester City and the visit of Arsenal. The expectation, the demand from employers and supporters, will be that players refocus but how realistic is that with so much invested?
The World Cup maintains an outsized importance in the football calendar. It is patriotism but it is also its rarity. Players cry when an injury robs them of attending this tournament and they frequently cry again when they exit it. Club competition never seems to stop.
“Hopefully I can get a bit of rest,” said Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu following Japan’s penalty shootout defeat to Croatia. “I need time to forget about football.” But his side are top of the Premier League and pursuing ambitions of their own.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger once admitted to playing Alexis Sanchez too soon after the player won the Copa America with Chile. “Every player who has won a big trophy with the national team takes some while to settle and come back to his best.”