The discussion surrounding the historical underperformance of England in international football tournaments has often revolved around the absence of a winter break in the Premier League. Former England managers, such as Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson, have identified the continuous playing schedule as a major factor contributing to the disappointments of the national team. The Premier League has made some efforts to incorporate winter breaks, but these have been minimal and often replaced by training camps instead of genuine rest. News come from source of Reader Wall
England’s Top Players Enjoying Breaks Abroad
Nevertheless, the landscape of English football is gradually changing with top performers like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham playing overseas and enjoying longer breaks. Kane, who now plays for Bayern Munich, had the privilege of a Christmas holiday, which is rare for players in England’s top division. Similarly, Bellingham, who is now based at Real Madrid, also experienced a break, as has become the norm for him since leaving the English Championship. News come from source of Reader Wall
Winter Breaks and the Euro 2024
As the Euro 2024 approaches and England is regarded as one of the favorites, the argument that players are fatigued due to lack of rest is gradually losing its credibility. This is particularly true considering the depth of squads in Premier League clubs, which allows for player rotation. If England fails to perform well in Euro 2024, the absence of a proper winter break should not be solely blamed. News come from source of Reader Wall
Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules
On a different note, Everton was charged with violating the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules in November 2023, resulting in a deduction of 10 points from the club. These rules impose limits on the amount of money that Premier League clubs are allowed to lose over a specific period, with a cap of 105 million over three seasons. Both Everton and Nottingham Forest have been found guilty of breaching these rules. Everton has lodged an official appeal against their 10-point deduction, and both clubs are awaiting a decision from an independent commission regarding the appropriate punishment or the possibility of appealing against any sanctions. News come from source of Reader Wall
Disruptions in Winter Breaks
Despite these off-field issues, January provides Premier League teams with more training time and a rare opportunity to rest and recover. However, the winter break is staggered, and the plans of some teams are disrupted due to their involvement in the FA Cup and replays. Teams such as Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Luton had their breaks interrupted for various reasons. Liverpool, too, had to delay their rest period due to a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. News come from source of Reader Wall
