Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou and captain Son Heung-min have both insisted the expanding football schedule must be addressed.
Spurs begin their Europa League campaign at home to Qarabag on Thursday (0500 Friday AEST) with the initial phase of the competition extended to eight games instead of six, as in the Champions League.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri suggested last week that players could strike over the increasing fixture congestion just days before he suffered a serious knee injury.
Early cup exits and no European football meant Tottenham played only 41 matches last season, though internationals, especially those involved in the Euros or Copa America, had several more fixtures.
This year, with their involvement in Europe and with one League Cup round already negotiated, Postecoglou’s team will play a minimum of 49 and a potential 66.
“They may take things into their own hands. They’re the ones most affected, so you would understand if they started to think as a collective,” the Australian said.
“We’re getting to a real dangerous level about our expectations are around players. Instead of focusing on one or two tournaments, it’s about the calendar. That is more of an issue.
“Players don’t get a break between seasons any more. There are more tournaments both at club level, international level and continental level.
“It’s going to get to a point where we are not going to have the best players out there playing and, even worse, them breaking down for various reasons. It needs to be addressed.”
The issue is of particular significance for Son, who regularly travels across the world to feature in South Korea matches before a quick turnaround back to domestic matters.
“You don’t want to see players struggling with injuries. A lot of games, a lot of travelling. Mentally, physically, you’re not ready.” said Son.
“Then going on to the pitch and the risk of injury is massive. We’re not robots. Don’t get me wrong, we love playing football, but there’s way too many games.
“Everyone has to take this really seriously. High quality games with top players should be the aim.”
Big guns fire in League Cup cakewalks
Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo have scored two goals apiece as holders Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 5-1 at Anfield to move into the fourth round of the League Cup.
Arsenal crushed third-tier Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in Wednesday night’s other tie.
West Ham opened the scoring on Merseyside when Wataru Endo’s attempt to clear a corner kick ricocheted off Jarell Quansah and past keeper Caoimhin Kelleher for an own goal.
The Hammers’ celebrations were short-lived as Jota equalised four minutes later, leaping to head home Federico Chiesa’s acrobatic volley. Jota netted his second in the 49th minute when Curtis Jones slotted a reverse pass to the Portuguese player who scored into the bottom corner.
Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah all but put the game away in the 74th when he knocked in the rebound off Alexis Mac Allister’s shot. Gakpo added to Liverpool’s lead with goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes.
The Reds captured a record 10th League Cup title last season, manager Juergen Klopp’s final trophy with the team before he stepped down at the end of the campaign.
In London, Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri scored twice – the 17-year-old’s first goals and his first start for the club – while Raheem Sterling netted his debut goal for the Gunners. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz also scored at the Emirates Stadium, while Aaron Collins netted Bolton’s lone goal.
On a night when some of Arsenal’s next generation showcased their talent, goalkeeper Jack Porter became the youngest player to start for the Londoners aged 16 years, 72 days. Porter broke the record of club icon, Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years, 177 days when he made his first start.
But Nwaneri holds the record as the youngest player to appear for Arsenal’s first team, having come on as a substitute aged 15 years, 181 days in September 2022.
© AAP