
<p>Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka scored for Arsenal on an injury hit afternoon in their season-opening victory against Nottingham Forest.</p>



<p>All three of the team’s summer acquisitions were given starting roles by Mikel Arteta. But he unexpectedly benched Gabriel for tactical reasons, breaking his streak of 73 straight <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> appearances.</p>



<p>Tens of thousands of supporters were kept outside after the club’s new ticketing system crashed just before kickoff. Consequently, the delayed kick-off time was 30 minutes. The victory was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-edge-forest-thanks-to-stellar-first-half-display-20230812-WST-449716.html">well-deserved for Arsenal</a>, but the Gunners had to sweat out the last minutes.</p>



<p>Forest replacement Taiwo Awoniyi scored off a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga to give his team hope. The away depart a defeated team but with several encouraging takeaways to ponder on the journey back to Nottingham.</p>



<h2>Arsenal await nervous injury wait on Jurrien Timber</h2>



<p>Meanwhile, the wonderful start to the season for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> was overshadowed an injury. Summer addition<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/jurrien-timber-salary-at-arsenal-how-much-he-makes-per-day-20230706-WST-441456.html"> Jurrien Timber</a> was substituted out of the game after just 50 minutes of action.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">EXCLUSIVE: Mikel Arteta admits Jurrien Timber fears after &apos;worrying&apos; injury during Arsenal win <a href="https://t.co/8cLBLAxIcY">https://t.co/8cLBLAxIcY</a></p>— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) <a href="https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1690388924747644928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>On Saturday, the Dutchman made his debut for his team when they took on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Nottingham Forest</a>. After colliding with Reds’ standout Brennan Johnson in the first half, he seemed to have picked up a <a href="https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/breaking-arsenal-injury-timber-forest-27509143" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">problem</a>.</p>



<p>Two minutes after coming out from the locker room after the break, Timber was seen holding his calf and then falling to the floor. Helped off the field by medical personnel, the defender had to be replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.</p>



<h2>Arsenal lacking in alternative options</h2>



<p>Due to Timber’s absence and Oleksandr Zinchenko’s calf injury, Arsenal’s defensive depth has been significantly eroded. </p>



<p>Arteta will be worried about his injury as the Dutchman seemed to be in discomfort while he was being treated.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</p>


Arsenal lose top summer signing due to injury on his EPL debut

After just 50 minutes of his Premier League debut for Arsenal, Jurrien Timber was substituted off the field due to injury


<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool </a>manager Jürgen Klopp referenced injuries as the culprit for the club’s lackluster start to the season. The Reds currently have six players on the sidelines with various injuries/illnesses. Throughout the early stages of the current campaign, Liverpool even had 19 different players miss at least one match.</p>



<p>Speaking ahead of his club’s Champions League matchup with Ajax on Wednesday, Klopp again acknowledged all of the injuries. “It starts with injuries then the problem is that the players who have no injuries have to play too often and then the players that do have the injuries, they come back and play too early very often. That’s how it is,” <a href="https:\/\/www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12729985/liverpool-manager-jurgen-klopp-says-injuries-and-bad-luck-have-contributed-to-inconsistent-start-to-season" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Klopp told Sky Sports.</a></p>



<p>“And then they come back and play and then they have another [maybe] not injuries but ‘other things’ and then the medical department says they can’t play more than 20 minutes, they shouldn’t do this and they shouldn’t do that, and these kinds of things, and that’s how you go into the Premier League games with a knife between your teeth.”</p>



<h2>Klopp accredits injuries to Liverpool slow start</h2>



<p>Liverpool have, however, recently received a bit of good news on the injury front. Darwin Nunez and Ibrahima Konate will be available for selection on Wednesday. The duo had been out of action with muscle injuries. The striker missed the team’s last game, while Konate has only appeared in two matches this season.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">"It&apos;s Ajax! BIG names, BIG game!" 👀<br><br>Jurgen Klopp is excited for tonight&apos;s UCL clash 💥 <a href="https:\/\/t.co/JbgxU90s0c">pic.twitter.com/JbgxU90s0c</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1585298459610980352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Klopp also confirmed that Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are returning to the pitch. “Yes players are coming back Ibou [Konate], Naby [Keita], [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain they need to train,” said Klopp. “We thought they would be out for longer, but now they are back which is good, not back to play, but back to be around and play a few minutes.”</p>



<p>Liverpool fans thought their team was bouncing back after <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/08/22/slow-start-gives-liverpool-and-klopp-cause-for-concern/">a sluggish start</a> following consecutive wins against Rangers, Manchester City, and West Ham. Nevertheless, the Reds suffered a <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/klopp-blasts-blunders-as-forest-shock-liverpool-20221022-WST-405409.html">strange 1-0 defeat</a> against Nottingham Forest at the weekend. </p>



<p>The Merseyside club can, however, book their place in the UCL knockout round if they just avoid defeat on Wednesday.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus</em></p>


Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp believes injuries are the primary cause for a relatively poor start to the campaign at Anfield.

Klopp blames Liverpool slow start on injuries

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>On May 7, Miles Robinson went down with an injury that required a stretcher for the center back.</p>
<p>Testing in the following days confirmed that the USMNT and Atlanta United defender ruptured his Achilles tendon. His surgery on Monday, May 9, all but confirmed his absence from the World Cup in Qatar set for November and December.</p>
<p>Robinson is not officially out of the World Cup. However, despite the World Cup remaining more than six months away, injuries to the Achilles tendon require extended time off. Notable players to rupture their Achilles are David Beckham in 2010 and Laurent Koscielny in 2018. Both players missed the World Cup due to their injuries.</p>
<p>On the bright side, Miles Robinson&nbsp;<em>should&nbsp;</em>return to action eventually. Houston Methodist Hospital released <a href="https:\/\/www.houstonmethodist.org/leading-medicine-blog/articles/2020/nov/soccer-achilles-research/">a report in 2020</a> stating that after recovery, level of play is generally the same. However, it does often mean careers are shorter. A hammer blow considering Miles Robinson is just 25 and already a promising MLS product.</p>
<p>In the short-term, Robinson’s injury accentuates a glaring problem for Gregg Berhalter. The USMNT injury crisis is nothing new, but it affects the side’s best and most consistent players.</p>
<h3>USMNT injury crisis</h3>
<p>On average, most U.S. soccer supporters point to Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams as the best and most essential players for the side. <a href="https:\/\/www.si.com/soccer/2021/12/01/christian-pulisic-injury-chelsea-usmnt">Pulisic</a>, <a href="https:\/\/www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/weston-mckennie-injury-update-usmnt-star-to-miss-rest-of-world-cup-qualifying-and-juventus-season/">McKennie</a> and <a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/borussia-dortmund/story/4638326/dortmund-usmnt-star-gio-reyna-ruled-out-for-rest-of-season-with-muscle-injury">Reyna</a> all missed extended time during World Cup Qualifying due to injury. Plus, Tyler Adams has a <a href="https:\/\/sbisoccer.com/2022/03/tyler-adams-fighting-through-back-injury-at-rb-leipzig">lingering back issue</a> that caused him to miss some training with RB Leipzig.</p>
<p>This injury plague is something that forced Gregg Berhalter to call on the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/2022/03/24/usmnt-squad-depth-takes-center-stage-in-last-qualifying-window/">less-frequent names to step up</a> when called upon. That could be a silver lining. Of course, during World Cup Qualifying, Robinson made 11 starts for the US during its 14 games in the Octagonal. Many of those came alongside Walker Zimmerman. The two played a key role both offensively and defensively for the side.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Atlanta United captain Miles Robinson exits the game on a stretcher due to injury. <a href="https:\/\/t.co/7pUdEwPghp">pic.twitter.com/7pUdEwPghp</a></p>
<p>— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/BallySportsSO/status/1523066874707120129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>However, this USMNT injury crisis expands well beyond just Miles Robinson. Moreover, it is not just any one position, it is spread wide.</p>
<h5>Holes defensively</h5>
<p>Starting in goal, Matt Turner and Zack Steffen both suffered injuries in 2022 alone. Both should be healthy coming into the World Cup. However, match fitness could be an issue. Certainly, it is not as much of an issue for goalkeepers. However, with the pair likely being backups for major English sides, they could be out of form.</p>
<p>Defensively, Miles Robinson’s injury is perhaps the biggest gut punch for USMNT supporters to date. The chemistry he developed with Walker Zimmerman provided something of a reliable pair at the back. Considering John Brooks’ struggles for both club and country, the likely replacement is Chris Richards. Even then, the Hoffenheim defender suffered a muscle tendon injury in his right thigh just after coming back from a separate injury to his ankle picked up during World Cup Qualifying.</p>
<p>Sergiño Dest’s injury concerns also raise some eyebrows. Recently,&nbsp; The wing-back is far from perfect. Still, he is only 21 and playing for Barcelona. His hamstring injury against Rayo Vallecano put an end to his season. It also raised doubt for his availability come the <a href="https:\/\/www.si.com/soccer/2022/04/25/sergino-dest-injury-hamstring-barcelona-usmnt-june-camp">June camp for the USMNT</a>. With something to prove, the U.S. remains weak at the fullback position. Perhaps, Dest’s injury came at the <em>right&nbsp;</em>time. It allows ample time to heal without rushing back into play at Camp Nou.</p>
<h5>Other major injuries</h5>
<p>Dest, along with players like Brenden Aaronson, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams and plenty more USMNT representatives play in Europe. With the aforementioned players having injuries sometime throughout the past six months, the upcoming offseason is a time to recuperate.</p>
<p>For Gregg Berhalter, these players are locks to be on the roster to travel to Qatar come November 2022. As stated previously, the fact that the World Cup is not in the summer for the first time could actually work to the side’s benefit. The growing USMNT injury crisis would be a major red flag had the tournament scheduled for June and July, as is tradition.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The American Journal of Sports Medicine published findings after tracking injuries in MLS from 2013-2016. They found that while the rate of overall injuries was negligible between turf and grass, athletes suffered ankle and Achilles&apos; tendon injuries at a much higher rate on turf. <a href="https:\/\/t.co/b6hRiGkRhc">https:\/\/t.co/b6hRiGkRhc</a> <a href="https:\/\/t.co/d9zSA0EhQG">pic.twitter.com/d9zSA0EhQG</a></p>
<p>— Jeff Rueter (@jeffrueter) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/jeffrueter/status/1523734066696437760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Weston McKennie could return to Juventus before its season ends. The only thing the Old Lady has to play for this season is the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/coppa-italia-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">Coppa Italia Final</a> against Inter. Unlikely to be fit for that game, it would be smart for McKennie to wait out the season and get fully fit.</p>
<p>This does not even include the massively unfortunate <a href="https:\/\/www.si.com/soccer/2022/04/08/gio-reyna-injury-borussia-dortmund-stuttgart-usmnt-video">Gio Reyna</a>, who seems to get injured each time he laces up for Borussia Dortmund. His latest hit likely takes him out of the upcoming June camp. It already canceled the remainder of his season in Germany.</p>
<p>The <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/schedule-of-soccer-friendlies-in-us-this-summer/">summer friendlies scheduled</a> by the USMNT are meant to be tune-ups ahead of the World Cup. However, they may serve the side better if the players are given time to return to full fitness.</p>
<p>The World Cup this year is in the middle of the club season the many of the USMNT players. On average, in-game time should not be as much of an issue as it is ahead of a standard World Cup. However, the one-week break between club season and the World Cup means no refreshing time.</p>
<p><em>PHOTO: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</em></p>


The USMNT injury crisis grew over the weekend. Miles Robinson, who started 11 games in World Cup qualifying, ruptured his Achilles tendon.

USMNT injury crisis rearing its ugly head before World Cup - World Soccer Talk

USMNT injury crisis rearing its ugly head before World Cup

<div id="attachment_353694" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-353694" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Playing too many games is one of the main issues surrounding the current landscape of soccer. With international breaks and competitions overlapping with players’ club seasons, there are small windows of true rest.</p>
<p>For instance, players in the Premier League, La Liga and the Bundesliga often cannot take breaks that some of the more privileged receive. In some cases, club sides&nbsp;<em>and&nbsp;</em>international teams need a player to help them accomplish their goals.</p>
<p>Take someone like Pedri. Currently, a hamstring injury sidelines the 18-year-old midfielder. Perhaps, this injury came about because of that massive allotment of minutes the Spaniard played in his debut season. In fact, the 17-year-old arrived from UD Las Palmas prior to the 2020/21 season. Then, he went and played the <a href="https:\/\/www.goal.com/en/news/tokyo-2020-pedri-bruno-fernandes-players-most-matches-2020/1g7ajc48aszry1sfevuuqd3bvi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most games in all competitions</a> across Europeans.</p>
<p>In his first season for Barcelona, the midfielder appeared in 52 games for the club. That’s more than fellow midfielders <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/frenkie-de-jong/leistungsdaten/spieler/326330/plus/0?saison=2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frenkie de Jong</a> and <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/sergio-busquets/leistungsdaten/spieler/65230/plus/0?saison=2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sergio Busquets</a> as well as <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/jordi-alba/leistungsdaten/spieler/69751/plus/0?saison=2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jordi Alba</a> and the recently departed <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/lionel-messi/leistungsdaten/spieler/28003/plus/0?saison=2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lionel Messi</a>. Although, Pedri played less minutes than all aforementioned players outside of Sergio Busquets in La Liga action. Still, the foundations for playing too many games persist.</p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-353671 size-medium" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211103_WST_352199_Sergio-Busquets-300x395.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=395" alt="" width="300" height="395" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Sergio-Busquets-300x395.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Sergio-Busquets-150x198.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Sergio-Busquets.jpg 456w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div>
<p>Then, internationally, Pedri did not get a chance for a breather. As the player got better over the season, Spain saw <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/pedri/leistungsdaten/spieler/683840/saison/2020/plus/1#gesamt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">his usage rise</a> as well. In 2021, Pedri played in three World Cup qualifiers, six Olympic contests as Spain lost in the gold medal game, six Euro 2020 games with Spain knocked out in the semifinals and one international friendly.</p>
<p>After his exploits in the first nine months of 2021, Pedri picked up an injury after just four appearances for the&nbsp;<em>Blaugrana</em>. This is just one instance of an athlete playing too many games.</p>
<p>Surely, more will come.</p>
<h3>Number of games on the rise</h3>
<p>On the surface, everyone would love more soccer. Contests consistently pitting the world’s best are great, right?</p>
<p>Well, if the backlash to the <a href="https:\/\/thesuperleague.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Super League</a> served as any indication, not all fans crave more games. Of course, the main issue was a lack of competitive balance with a league like that. Yet, it did contribute to discussions regarding a biennial World Cup.</p>
<p>FIFA, in a bid to bring in more money and ‘grow the game’, proposed playing the World Cup every two years. At the same time, FIFA recently upped the number of teams in the competition to 48 ahead of the 2026 World Cup.</p>
<p>The issue with the biennial World Cup could warrant their own discussion. But, regarding an increased number of games, the strain would be intense on players. Already, most players on major European teams play in continental competitions like the European Championship or Copa America in between World Cup years.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/10/20/fifa-wants-biennial-world-cup-consensus-by-december-20/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE:</a>&nbsp;</strong></em><em>FIFA wants biennial World Cup consensus by December 20.</em></p>
<p>Breaking it down, each national competition like that has qualification stages.</p>
<h5>World Cup</h5>
<p>First off, you cannot blame players for not wanting to give their all for their country to reach the World Cup. Qualification for the World Cup varies based on continent and results. Teams play at least 10 games in UEFA qualifying, 18 in CONMEBOL, 16 in CONCACAF, 18 in AFC and eight in Africa.</p>
<p>The reason for ‘at least’ in those numbers is that teams on the bubble enter playoff stages where the squads play at least two more games each.</p>
<p>It’s a grueling road, and that number may decrease when the number of teams in the World Cup increases. Regardless, there is uncertainty in how this number changes with heightened frequency of the World Cup. As of now, World Cup qualifying begins two years outside of the upcoming World Cup. Qualification would be more rapid if it is to follow a similar format to one employed by the different federations currently.</p>
<p>Practically, there is uncertainty. And, in a game where some players play in over five different competitions, uncertainty is an unnecessary risk.</p>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-353414 size-medium alignleft" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211103_WST_352199_Gio-Reyna-1-300x450.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=450" alt="" width="300" height="450" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Gio-Reyna-1-300x450.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Gio-Reyna-1-150x225.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Gio-Reyna-1.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div>
<p>Even now, the USMNT saw a handful of players pick up injuries on international duty. <a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/chelsea-engchelsea/story/4500687/chelseas-christian-pulisic-really-suffering-to-overcome-injury-thomas-tuchel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christian Pulisic</a> and <a href="https:\/\/bvbbuzz.com/2021/10/09/borussia-dortmund-injury-update-gio-reyna-closing-return/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gio Reyna</a> picked up injuries in the September international break, sidelining them for over two months.</p>
<h5>Continental Cups</h5>
<p>Similar to the World Cup, playing too many games persists already in the likes of the Euros, Copa America, Gold Cup, Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup.</p>
<p>To start, the qualification processes for most of these tournaments resembles that of a World Cup. Of course, the exception is the Copa America, where the 10 CONMEBOL teams automatically qualify for the competition. Then, a World-Cup-length tournament persists for roughly one month across these different federations.</p>
<p>Certain competitions, particularly the African Cup of Nations or AFC Asian Cup, happen during the season. In these cases, players jump from their domestic leagues across the world to a monthlong tournament. After that, their club schedules do not skip a beat.</p>
<p>More often than not, clubs expect their major players such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané or Wilfred Ndidi to jump straight back in. Remember, while European and American international tournaments transpire outside of traditional club schedules, leagues do not take breaks for the Africa Cup of Nations or the AFC Asian Cup.</p>
<p>Still, let’s not cast aside the other confederations. Yes, the Euros, Copa America and Gold Cup occur outside of the traditional club season. Yet, while these players could be recuperating and allowing their bodies to catch up with their schedule, more intense competition takes precedence.</p>
<h5>Nations League</h5>
<p>The aforementioned competitions do not include the Nations League. This competition only started in UEFA following the 2018 World Cup. The purpose of the competition is to replace friendlies with an actual competition. As an added bonus, smaller nations could use UEFA and CONCACAF’s new ‘leagues’ to qualify for other tournaments.</p>
<p>Regardless of opinions on the intensity of the drawn out tournament, it surely means something to the players and coaches. For example, the first <a href="https:\/\/www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/06/concacaf-nations-league-final-usmnt-vs-mexico-lineup-schedule-tv-channels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CONCACAF Nations League Final</a> featured Pulisic, Reyna, Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest, all of whom play for prominent European sides that consistently make runs in domestic leagues and cups and continental competition.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/29/injured-pulisic-reyna-to-miss-us-world-cup-qualifiers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">READ MORE:</a>&nbsp;</strong></em><em>Injured Pulisic, Reyna to miss US World Cup Qualifiers.</em></p>
<p>The aforementioned Pedri likely would have started in the UEFA Nations League Final. However, his lingering injury kept him out of the squad.</p>
<h5>Club Competitions</h5>
<p>Let’s not forget, all the aforementioned competitions only happen at the international level. Thirty-six-plus game seasons for clubs, at least one domestic cup and, often for the world’s best players, the Champions League and Europa league dotted on weekdays.</p>
<p>Clearly, some players play too many games. Dependency on those who are more talented causes them to be worn out. Indeed, there are some athletes who are simply monsters that seem to not need rest. For example, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount served critical components to their teams that each made deep runs in European competition. They finished last season second and third in terms of <a href="https:\/\/www.goal.com/en/news/tokyo-2020-pedri-bruno-fernandes-players-most-matches-2020/1g7ajc48aszry1sfevuuqd3bvi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">appearances overall</a>.</p>
<h3>Remedies for playing too many games</h3>
<div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft wp-image-353637 size-medium" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20211103_WST_352199_Infantino-300x185.webp&amp;width=300&amp;height=185" alt="" width="300" height="185" srcset="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Infantino-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Infantino-600x370.jpg 600w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Infantino-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Infantino-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Infantino-223x137.jpg 223w, https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2021/11/Infantino.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px"></figure></div>
<p>There are certain characters that are in favor of an increased workload for players across world soccer. Notably, many of these names come from higher-ups. The main culprit is perhaps the push by FIFA for the biennial World Cup.</p>
<p>For example, Gianni Infantino, the current FIFA President, received major backlash from independent nations. <a href="https:\/\/apnews.com/article/soccer-sports-2020-tokyo-olympics-world-cup-gianni-infantino-852c9b3684c356a427985173752ad5d0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Portugal, Italy and Switzerland</a> are just a few examples of this. Also, those nations have players that represent club teams that play practically from August until May. This leaves just June and July, which, even then, often mean time spent with the international teams.</p>
<p>One major critic of the biennial World Cup is UEFA President <span>Aleksander Ceferin. Despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s promises of providing unity in the game, Ceferin suggested UEFA could boycott FIFA’s biggest tournament if the organization moves away from its quadrennial format.</span></p>
<p>Ceferin’s reasoning? He says the increased workload for teams would “<a href="https:\/\/www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/12403175/uefa-president-aleksander-ceferin-warns-biennial-world-cup-plans-could-lead-to-european-boycott" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kill football</a>.” More eloquently, the UEFA President argues it would put such a strain on clubs and players alike that it would simply not be feasible.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“To play every summer a one-month tournament, for the players it’s a killer. If it’s every two years it clashes with the Women’s World Cup, with the Olympic football tournament,”</em> Ceferin told&nbsp;<em>The Times</em>.</p>
<p><em>“The value is precisely because it is every four years, you wait for it. It’s like the Olympic Games, it’s a huge event. I don’t see our federations supporting that.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Similarly, we already see some people call for fewer games as it is. No more 60+ games for Bruno Fernandes, Pedri or any other overly used player like that.</p>
<h5>Redrafting the Soccer Calendar</h5>
<p>In 2018, then-European Club Association Chairman Andrea Agnelli called for “<a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/blog-uefa/story/3432894/europes-top-clubs-call-for-fewer-games-and-speedier-ffp-cases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mandatory rest periods</a>” and a redesign of some competitions. While some, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino, want expanded competitions and thus more games, Agnelli mentioned the overworking of players.</p>
<blockquote><p><span><em>“They’re playing week in, week out, two or three games a week, be it at club level or a national team level,”</em> Agnelli said. </span></p>
<p><span><em>“So when we think about the calendar going forward we must also take into consideration weeks when players can actually rest and/or train. So reducing the overall number of games.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<p>Of course, Agnelli hampered any credibility on the topic with his devotion towards the failed European Super League. He resigned from his positions on the European Club Association and with Juventus. Regardless, he makes a good point in terms of mandatory resting periods.</p>
<p>In most leagues, the winter break is a good way to get bodies back up to par. Even then, extensive training limits any true recuperation. Then, in England, the lack of a winter break reinforces the idea of overextending players.</p>
<h5>Editing Competitions</h5>
<p>We’re all fans of great games, underdogs and dramatic storylines. They seem inherent with the beautiful game. Theoretically, more games opens up more opportunities to that.</p>
<p>Derek Rae, one of the world’s most notable commentators, said expanding the number of teams in the World Cup did not create any kind of problem when it jumped from 16 to 24 and 24 to 32. Therefore, we’ll have to see how that impacts the understanding of the competition. It seems to work well with the UEFA European Championships. After all, Iceland’s run in 2016 captured the emotions of soccer fans across the world.</p>
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/embed/wnK4D0dy6mE" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
<p>Rather, the issue comes with frequency. As merely a writer, I am unsure if removing some competitions or reducing the number of teams or intensity is the solution.</p>
<p>One thing is for certain. We all love when teams like France or Germany play Argentina or Brazil. However, if the competitions stay at the same frequency with the same number of games, there is reason to believe that some countries or clubs will throw out secondary sides to allow major players some form of rest.</p>
<p>In the case of a biennial World Cup, if certain UEFA nations do not boycott every two years, who is stopping these coaches from fielding a ‘senior’ side one tournament, then a younger, more experimental side, in the next rendition two years later?</p>
<h3>Predicting the future</h3>
<p>There is no saying what will happen in terms of the number of games these athletes play each season. There is reason to see them playing more games via expanded international tournaments. Although, certain constituents fight for fewer games than what we currently see.</p>
<p>The higher-ups obviously control the scheduling, and more games tends to mean <a href="https:\/\/www.si.com/soccer/2021/03/31/champions-league-future-format-expansion-swiss-system-criticism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more money</a>. Gianni Infantino is adamant on pushing up the number of games and creating more opportunities for even smaller nations.</p>
<p>However, the soccer world is a powerful body. The immediate shutdown of the European Super League came as a result of fan backlash against their own clubs. <a href="https:\/\/www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQIDff1G1JQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gary Neville’s testimonies</a> on Sky Sports seemed to lead the English-language hatred of the proposal.</p>
<p>So, we will have to see the impacts of the public and the players against the executives.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


Modern soccer players face the issue of playing too many games, risking the longevity of their bodies and health for immediate results.

How playing too many games takes a toll on soccer players - World Soccer Talk

How playing too many games takes a toll on soccer players

<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EPL-head-injury.png"></a></p><div><figure class="image"><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/EPL-head-injury.png"></a></figure></div><p></p>
<p>If someone was counting the number of times a stretcher has come on the pitch this Premier League season, I have a strong suspicion that this would be a record breaking season for all the wrong reasons.</p>
<p>Watching the very physical game between Everton and Fulham this past Sunday was like seeing a boxing match unfold before my eyes. Hefty collisions. Plenty of blood pouring from cuts and fouls galore. It reminded me how this season, particularly the last few months, have seen so many serious injuries on the pitch. In all my years of watching top flight English football, I’ve never seen so many stretchers on the pitch and so much oxygen administered to players.</p>
<p>Take this past weekend just as one example. It was like watching the film “Band Of Brother.” Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given dislocated his shoulder and is out for the rest of the season. Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen dislocated his elbow and may miss out on playing for Denmark in the World Cup.</p>
<p>Then there were the injuries from previous weeks. The nasty kick in the face by Tuncay on George Boateng which knocked him unconscious. Of course, we can’t forget the injury that happened to Aaron Ramsey after the foul by Ryan Shawcross. And there have been many more. It just seems that this season more than any other has resulted in so many serious injuries.</p>
<p>But why? Personally, I think it’s because the league is as competitive as it has ever has been and players, week-in week out, know what bonuses are available if they score goals or if their team finishes in a certain position in the league table. There’s more to play for, which means that players are more desperate to win.</p>
<p>It’s also the nature of the English football season for many clubs to “get stuck in” and to try the physical approach to win 50/50 balls and to stop the opposition from advancing. It also doesn’t help when referees are seemingly more lenient to allow certain things to happen without blowing the whistle. Maybe it’s me but it seems that the pushing, shoving and holding are getting worse in the penalty box when corners happen. At this rate, it’ll resemble a rugby scrum before you know it.</p>
<p>The sad result of all of these physical fouls and freak accidents is that the number of players who have been ruled out of this summer’s World Cup is growing. And those who are not injured must feel as if they’ve had chunks taken out of their bodies this season after a very grueling Premier League season. Yes, injuries happen. They always happen, but this season it seems they’ve been happening more frequently.</p>


Why Have There Been More Injuries This Premier League Season? - World Soccer Talk

Why Have There Been More Injuries This Premier League Season?

<p></p><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft" src="https:\/\/ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https:\/\/images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20090707_WST_9121_Xabi_and_Javier.webp&amp;width=314&amp;height=276" alt="" width="314" height="276"></figure></div><a href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/stay-fit-keep-xabi-masch-liverpool-can-win-part-1/9094" target="_blank"><em>Click here for</em><em> Part 1</em></a><p></p>
<p>Last season, Gerrard and Torres missed substantial chunks of play. And Liverpool suffered for it. When they were both fit, Liverpool hit some astounding results: v. Real Madrid: 4-0; v. Chelsea 2-0; v. Villa 5-0; and @ United 4-1!!! They even managed strong results against big sides with one or the other missing from the starting lineup. Prior to the above results, they beat United, Madrid and Chelsea by slimmer, yet equally satisfying, margins. But few Liverpool supporters could cling to sanity with Gerrard or Torres out for too long. The real nausia was when, without one or both, Liverpool crashed upon the wall of smaller teams who were playing for a draw. In those moments the lack of Gerrard and/or Torres were as missed as the empty space left in one’s chest after you’ve been shot… by a bazooka.</p>
<p>At this point, Gerrard might be the easier one to cover. (Yes, it feels blasphemous to say this, but since no red streak of lighting has come from the heavens to strike me dead, I’ll keep typing). Say Stevie G needs time off due to injury or he sees a straight red card after he shows Drogba what it really takes to go down just outside the box. (And yes, I’m still bitter about the Olympic-quality diving in the last Champions League quarter-finals). Rafa can feasibly put Kuyt, Benayoun or even El Zhar behind Torres. If he needs to. Not ideal, but manageable.</p>
<p>The real problem at this point, would be losing Torres for any amount of time again. In the favored (and effective) 4231 formation, who goes up front? Kuyt alone?&nbsp; N’Gog alone? Bring back Voronin? (Can you smell that? That’s a writer putting on the breaks. Sorry about that). Babel can do it if absolutely needed, but I am almost certain he’ll be sold before the transfer window ends.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Rafa <em>should</em> bring on a talented striker to cover for Torres. But who would come to play off the bench? If Rafa finds someone as good as he needs, that player is already too good to be a squad player. If N’Gog picked this season to really blossom into greatness, that’d be perfect. He’s young enough to be content come off the bench for a season. Willing to live in El Niño’s shadow for a while. Getting the job done as needed. That’s wishful thinking to the extreme. I know.</p>
<p>What Liverpool needs is one more attacking player with proven goalscoring ability. Rafa has always loved versatile attackers. Luis Garcia. Dirk Kuyt. Ryan Babel. Harry Kewell—whoa, hear me out…</p>
<p>A pre-injury-marathon Kewell would be <em>perfect</em> right now. Rafa inherited Kewell from Gerrard Houllier, but Kewell’s fitness and productivity were apparrently relegated along with Leeds United. Kewell stayed up in the Prem. His footballing went down to the Championship and later League One. It was stashed in a locker at Elland Road for years.</p>
<p>But the <em>potential</em> of Kewell was spectacular. If he’d played for Liverpool like he had at Leeds, he would have been devastating in two or three different positions. Liverpool need to find someone along those lines. Only fit. Ryan Babel came with that potential, but since Riera arrived, Babel just can’t get enough pitch time to flourish.</p>
<p>The ideal purchase would be a starting attacking mid (a Maxi Rodriguez, a David Silva) who can start wide right or wide left and make that spot their own. But they’ve got the finishing quality to move to the middle if Torres comes out. A striker-winger almost. But the dude isn’t competing for place because he’s already a starter. If Torres is out, Dirk Kuyt and Player X can work together in a 4411 or 442, depending on the new player’s specific abilities. Notice how vague I’m staying on Player X. Because who knows what Rafa is thinking right now as he scours the market behind closed doors! If Torres is in (hopefully <em>always)</em>, Niño’s got Riera-Gerrard-Player X or Player X-Gerrard-Kuyt behind him. God, I miss Luis García.</p>
<p>The ruts Liverpool hit, as I’ve mentioned, were points dropped against the defense-minded sides. Breaking down the ten-men-behind-the-ball types has not been Liverpool’s forté in quite some time. But with Glen Johnson in and Albert Riera looking up for it, Liverpool can break out the True Width™. Against the sides that stay back, Johnson can get forward, shifting the side into more of a 353, with Kuyt (or Silva, or Rodriguez, or ?) cutting in toward the box to help Gerrard and Torres. The width coming from the back will allow the Reds to spread defenses thin while adding more playmaking in the danger area. They had this in mind last season, but Johnson will be far better at this than Arbeloa.</p>
<p>You could see the frame of this in the 3-2 win at Pompey in Feb. Five starting defenders but Arbeloa and Dossena charged down the wings with three defenders hanging back. Pompey took the lead twice, but didn’t really know how to handle the formation. This wouldn’t work all the time, but it has a lot of potential for breaking down the sides who stay back and play for a draw. And Johnson can always shift to a deeper spot when it isn’t working. Versatility, baby.</p>
<p>Last season was about the best season Liverpool have had in 18 years. If you had told me last August that’s how 08/09 was about go to, I might have asked what medications you were mixing and, more importantly, did you have extra. But the season was mostly fantastic and the title was in sight deeper into the campaign than it’s been in almost two decades. The Reds just need <em>little </em>adjustments. Glen Johnson was one adjustment (if we can call £17m <em>little</em>). I think Liverpool are one more from getting it right.</p>

Stay Fit, Keep Xabi, Masch: Liverpool Can Win... part 2 - World Soccer Talk

Stay Fit, Keep Xabi, Masch: Liverpool Can Win... part 2

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<p>In 2004, he left Liverpool for Real Madrid in search of Champions League glory. Early on, Madrid mostly shackled him to their bench and later ducked out to Juventus in the first knock-out round. The Liverpool players bounced on the big stage in Istanbul: lifting the trophy without him.</p>
<p>The next season, after Liverpool didn’t take him back, he moved to Newcastle, citing the chance to play alongside the great Alan Shearer as a big part of what drew him to Tyneside. He’d spent much of Shearer’s final season (and most of the next year) out injured.</p>
<p>He was once the most exciting young striker for England. 18 years and 59 days old when he hit the scene. Bursting with pace and invention. A World Cup darling. Now, there’s no room for him in Fabio Capello’s system. He watches his countrymen chase down World Cup qualification from afar.</p>
<p>And as if fate hasn’t laughed at him enough, Newcastle have been relegated.</p>
<p>A striker is supposed to peak around Michael Owen’s age, but diminished pace and a continuious stream of injuries make him seem far older and more faded than his 29 years should suggest.</p>
<p>As his contract with the fallen Magpies is up, rumors of a move inevitably float to the surface of the ever-murky transfer window punditry pool. Aston Villa. Everton. Roma. Reasonable names are batted about.</p>
<p>Either Villa, who flirted with Champions League qualification for much of the past season before sliding at the end, or Everton, who finished 5th and made a thrilling dash to the FA Cup final, might be a good fit for Michael’s ambitions. But Roma… we’ll come back to that.</p>
<p>It may be time for Michael Owen to consider that the aggresive, physical English Premier League is doing him few favors as far as warding off knocks, tears and strains goes. Does he want to spend the rest of his career drifting in and out of the active roster? A change in league might be the best move at this stage.</p>
<p>Look at his former teammate and fellow injury coinnoseur, Harry Kewell:</p>
<p>After a brilliant (and mostly fit) spell at Leeds United, Kewell moved to Anfield where he spent more time with the physios than with his teammates. Recurring injuries kept Kewell from living up to the uncharted potential he’d shown when he first came to England. Regaining his old match fitness seemed an impossible task for Kewell at, you guessed it, age 29.</p>
<p>At the end of the 2007/2008 season, Harry moved to Galatasary S.K. in the Turkish Süper Lig, where he now enjoys regular first team football and seems to have regained a consistent state of fitness.</p>
<p>If Roma’s interest is genuine, Serie A could be a good fit for Michael Owen. The league is less intense and physical than the EPL but still maintains high standards of quality. His creativity would be given room to thrive and his old prolificacy might blossom anew.</p>
<p>If he can stay out of the hospital gown for any length of time, Michael will score plenty more goals and perhaps even fight his way into Capello’s system. At 29, there’s no reason to blow the final whistle on his career. (Although, when it does finally sound, he should be given plenty of injury time.)</p>
<p>Perhaps Michael Owen is cursed. Since he walked out of Liverpool, events beyond his control have block him living up to his once boundless potential. One of the world’s most exciting young talents has struggled with form and place. One hopes it is not too late for Michael Owen to bounce back. But he’d have to find the right environment and take plenty of vitamins to pull it off at this point. Good luck, Michael.</p>


The Curse Of Michael Owen - World Soccer Talk

The Curse Of Michael Owen

<p>Let the GAMES BEGIN!</p>
<p>Okay I’m sure you’re all wondering what are&nbsp;we doing at Serie A Talk, predictions with no club previews?</p>
<p>Well there are tons of sites offering&nbsp;previews and they all sound&nbsp;very similar&nbsp;so if you want the low-down I’ll list’em for you at the end of my predictions for Serie A Match Day Uno.</p>
<h4>Key Injuries –&nbsp;First XI Players</h4>
<p>AC Milan – striker Marco Borriello, playmaker/midfielder Kaka (out for 2 -3 weeks)</p>
<p>Fiorentina – striker Adrian Mutu (out for 3 weeks)</p>
<p>Inter Milan – defender Marco Matterzzi (out 5 – 6 weeks), Fellow centre backs Burdisso,&nbsp;Walter Samuels, Christian Chivu and Ivan Corboda are not yet fit for the Serie A kickoff on August 31, midfielder Patrick Vieira</p>
<p>Juventus – defender Giorgio Chiellini&nbsp; (out indefinitely), midfielder Cristiano Zanetti&nbsp;(out for&nbsp;4 weeks), <font color="#ff0000">NEW</font>&nbsp;Momo Sissoko and Pavel Nedved both suffered knocks in training (status unknown)</p>
<p>Lazio – hit-man Tommaso Rocchi (unknown)</p>
<p>Roma – playmaker Francesco Totti (will most likely miss Match Day 1, check&nbsp;game time announcements)</p>
<h4>Related articles</h4>
<p>Goal.com – <a target="_blank" href="http:\/\/jp.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=835361" rel="noopener">Burdisso Injury Sparks Inter Crisis</a><br>
Serie A Talk – <a target="_blank" href="http:\/\/www.serieatalk.com/most-expensive-injuries-in-serie-a/153" rel="noopener">Most Expensive Injuries&nbsp;In Serie A Poll</a><br>
channel4.com Football Italia – <a target="_blank" href="http:\/\/www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/aug27u.html" rel="noopener">Totti to miss Napoli clash</a></p>
<p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>Club Preview Update</strong></font></p>
<p>Bigsoccer Social Network – <a target="_blank" href="http:\/\/www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=753046" rel="noopener">Cassano’s Big Soccer Review</a><br>
channel4.com Football Italia – <a target="_blank" href="http:\/\/www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/clubinfo.html" rel="noopener">Meet the clubs</a><br>
Football Italiano – <a target="_blank" href="http:\/\/footballitaliano.org/?tag=serie-a" rel="noopener">Serie A Seasons Preview</a></p>


ALL POSTS TAGGED "Injuries" - Page 4

Arsenal

Arsenal lose top summer signing due to injury on his EPL debut

Leagues: EPL

Klopp blames Liverpool slow start on injuries

USMNT

USMNT injury crisis rearing its ugly head before World Cup

FIFA

How playing too many games takes a toll on soccer players

FA

Why Have There Been More Injuries This Premier League Season?

Leagues: EPL

Stay Fit, Keep Xabi, Masch: Liverpool Can Win... part 2

General

The Curse Of Michael Owen

Leagues: Serie A

Serie A Match Day One Predictions