Premier League action returns this weekend after a grueling week-and-a-half of international fixtures- as Chelsea play host to champions Leicester City in the first showdown of the day.
Although Manchester City hosting Everton and the Gunners trip to Swansea all carry a mouth watering prospect, Manchester United’s visit to Anfield will be the biggest encounter of the weekend [well technically it is scheduled for Monday night so suggesting it as the biggest game of Match Day 8 would be a better fit].
But just how will the players fair on after the international break? Here are three reasons why the international break is a slapstick waste of time.
Jet lag
United have Antonio Valencia and Marcos Rojo arriving from South America on Thursday, while Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino are likewise expected to jet in during the same period after receiving call ups with the Brazilian national team.
It’s a given that the South American players based in England will suffer from jet lag, and those involved in the Liverpool-United match can count themselves lucky with the Monday night fixture.
But the same cannot be said about Sergio Aguero and Alexis Sanchez who are expected to line up for their clubs on Saturday and Sunday respectively, despite making the tedious journey from South America.
Disrupts rhythm
The international break has notoriety in disrupting rhythm not only for players, but also for clubs.
Players who have only just rediscovered their goalscoring touch have to wait for another two weeks to repeat their exploits, while teams that have registered disappointing outcomes can only think of one thing: dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s to get their campaign back on track.
Downright boring
The international break has to be the most boring thing going on, so much that only watching grass grow can outwit it.
Star players often don’t give their best to avoid pick up injuries, while average players overdo their performances in a bid to impress their club managers, but still end up picking injuries.
Even though most feel, as I do, that the international break is a slapstick waste of time, it is unfortunately an unavoidable necessity.
Written by Brian Humphrey
Follow Brian on Twitter @brihum
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