Frank Christian
Top footballer, Erling Haaland, from Manchester City, discusses the challenges faced by players due to packed schedules.
While on City’s pre-season tour in New York, the Norwegian striker emphasized the difficulty of coping with the increasing number of matches each season.
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Haaland’s Perspective: Advocating for Balance in Football
Haaland, who took a summer break, pointed out the visible fatigue among players observed in recent tournaments. He stated,
“We all saw in the Euros how tired people were. You could see it in their faces; they were worn out from football.”
The striker expressed worries that players may struggle to sustain their peak performance when constantly playing nearly 70 games per year.
Regarding the demanding schedule, Haaland mentioned,
“We can try, but it’s difficult to be sharp if you play over 70 games a year.”
His remarks coincide with ongoing talks about player welfare and the hectic football calendar.
Despite Manchester City’s Premier League success for the fourth consecutive time, they faced disappointment in the Champions League.
Haaland recognized the fine margins of success, particularly in Europe’s top competition. Reflecting on their exit in the quarter-finals against Real Madrid, he mentioned:
“City has been so close in the Champions League. If my crossbar header had gone in, it might have been a different story,”
Haaland’s views shed light on a broader issue in football: the delicate balance between maximizing commercial aspects and ensuring player well-being.
