Major clubs from across Europe held discussions this week on easing the ever-increasing workload on players, and have suggested two major changes.
The sheer volume of football matches per season is increasing. The introduction of the new-look Club World Cup, won by Chelsea, added a further seven matches to get to the final, while the Champions League has added an additional two fixtures in the group stage.
It can be seen at international level, too, with more teams than ever before attending this year’s World Cup.
This, inevitably, increases the risk of injury for players. Cole Palmer, for example, played 55 games for club and country last season, and could have played even more had he been registered for the group stages of Chelsea’s triumphant Conference League campaign.
This season, the 23-year-old has been slow out of the blocks, playing just four games after struggling with a groin injury. He is expected to be out until after the November international break.
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Paris Saint-Germain, who won the Champions League but were pipped to the Club World Cup trophy by Chelsea, have also been struggling with injuries this year.
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who made 60 appearances for club and country last campaign, has featured just four times this season as he struggles with a muscle injury of his own: his hamstring.
Cole Palmer has been forced to watch much of the season so far from the sidelines
|REUTERS
Clubs from across Europe, including many major Premier League sides, met at the European Football Clubs' (EFC) general assembly in Italy this week to discuss issues within the game and, while players’ work overload was not on the agenda, held private discussions around the issue.
The solution? To increase the substitution limit to six and increase registration squad allowances from 25 to 28.
The additional squad spaces could allow clubs to reduce the workload on players, spreading minutes more evenly throughout the squad.
Major clubs from across Europe held discussions this week on easing the ever-increasing workload on players, and have suggested increasing substitutions limit to six and increase registration squad allowances from 25 to 28
| PAPlayers have threatened to strike in recent years because of the excessive games, with major Premier League stars bemoaning the hectic schedule.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri admitted last year: "I think we are close to [striking].
"If it keeps this way, it will be a moment that we have no other option, but let's see."
The Spaniard suffered a season-ending ACL injury just weeks after those comments.
However, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), Premier League players’ union, have doubts that increasing the squad size would adequately decrease the mental fatigue on players, given it would not prevent them from being selected in a matchday squad.
FifPro, the world players’ union, explained the issue in detail: ”Even if the player does not end up playing any minutes, they still have to be physically present and fully participate in team preparations, mentally prepare, while often spending time away from home and undertaking international travel.
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Manchester City star Rodri has struggled for fitness over the last 12 months
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"As such, these occasions are also part of the player's working time commitments."
Meanwhile, substitutions were increased from three to five permanently in 2022. Since then, the number of goals scored by substitutes has risen from 9.8 per cent to 16.1 per cent so far this season.
Increasing the substitution allowance per game could also spread out the workload, meaning players are less likely to play a full 90 minutes.
Before any changes are made, the International Football Association Board, football’s rulemakers, would have to suggest the changes before voting. The Premier League would then vote whether to introduce them to the league.