Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has raised concerns about the increasing number of injuries in football due to the packed schedule. He believes that teams may need to expand their squads to 40 players to cope with the demands of modern football. However, he also warns that this would cause financial problems, leading clubs to bankruptcy. His comments come after Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji was ruled out for eight to ten weeks due to an injury. Other teams, such as Tottenham and Arsenal, have also faced similar injury problems this season.
Football has always been a physically demanding sport, but in recent years, the number of matches has increased significantly. Players now participate in domestic leagues, domestic cup competitions, European tournaments, and international fixtures. This relentless schedule has taken a toll on players’ bodies, leading to frequent injuries.
Guardiola mentioned that injuries are expected in football, but this season has been particularly tough. Manchester City has struggled with multiple injuries, and other top clubs like Tottenham and Arsenal have faced similar challenges. One notable exception is Liverpool, which has managed to avoid major injury crises this season. However, Real Madrid has also suffered from injuries, highlighting that this is not just a problem for English clubs but a global issue.
Manuel Akanji, one of Manchester City’s key defenders, recently suffered an abductor injury during a Champions League match against Real Madrid. Guardiola explained that his body simply could not handle the workload anymore. This is a common issue among players who are constantly pushed to their limits without enough time to recover.
Guardiola believes that the packed football calendar is the main reason for the high number of injuries. He pointed out that both he and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp have spoken about this issue before. The number of games has increased over the years, with domestic leagues, cup competitions, European tournaments, and international matches all adding to the workload.
For example, a top Premier League club like Manchester City competes in multiple competitions every season, including the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. In addition, players are often called up for international duty, which means they have even fewer opportunities to rest.
When players are constantly playing without enough time to recover, their risk of injury increases. Muscular injuries, in particular, have become more common because players do not have enough time to fully recover between matches. Guardiola used Akanji’s injury as an example, explaining that his body reached a breaking point and could no longer cope with the demands
One potential solution that has been suggested is reducing the number of teams in the Premier League. Currently, the league consists of 20 teams, meaning each team plays 38 matches in a season. Some people believe that reducing the number of teams to 18 would help lessen the burden on players by decreasing the number of league games.
However, Guardiola does not believe this will happen. He pointed out that the Premier League is unlikely to reduce the number of teams because of the financial implications. Fewer teams would mean fewer matches, which could result in lower revenues for clubs and broadcasters. Additionally, competitions like the Carabao Cup are expected to continue, further adding to the fixture congestion.
Another suggestion is to rotate players more frequently, giving them more rest throughout the season. However, this is not always possible for managers, especially in important matches. Clubs want to field their best players in key games, and this often leads to overuse and injuries.
Guardiola suggested that one way to handle the busy schedule would be to expand squads to 40 players. This would allow managers to rotate their teams more effectively and reduce the physical strain on individual players. However, he also acknowledged that this solution is unrealistic because of financial constraints.
Football clubs already spend a significant amount of money on player wages and transfers. Expanding squads to 40 players would mean paying more salaries and increasing overall expenses. Even wealthy clubs like Manchester City would struggle to sustain such large squads, let alone smaller clubs with limited financial resources.
Guardiola explained that having 40 players in a squad would lead to financial problems for clubs. Paying salaries for that many players would be unsustainable, and clubs would likely go bankrupt. The cost of transfers would also increase, making it even harder for clubs to manage their finances.
The issue of fixture congestion and injuries does not just affect individual clubs—it has a broader impact on the entire football ecosystem. When key players get injured, it affects the quality of matches. Fans want to see the best players performing at their highest level, but when injuries occur, teams are forced to play without their top stars. This can lead to less exciting matches and lower entertainment value.
Injuries also impact international competitions. Many players pick up injuries during their club seasons and then struggle to perform for their national teams. This affects major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship, where fans expect to see the best players competing at their peak.
Furthermore, injuries can shorten players’ careers. When players are consistently overworked, they are more likely to suffer long-term damage to their bodies. This can force them to retire earlier than expected, depriving football of some of its best talents.
There is no simple solution to the problem of fixture congestion and injuries, but several steps could be taken to address the issue:
Better Scheduling – Football authorities could work together to create a more balanced schedule that allows players more time to rest and recover. This could involve adjusting international breaks and spreading out domestic competitions more evenly.
Squad Rotation – Managers could be encouraged to rotate their squads more often, giving players more opportunities to rest. However, this requires clubs to have enough depth in their squads, which may not be possible for smaller teams.
Reducing Unnecessary Competitions – Some football competitions could be restructured or eliminated to reduce the overall number of matches. For example, discussions have been held about changing the format of the Carabao Cup or the UEFA Champions League to lessen the burden on players.
Player Welfare Initiatives – Football organizations could introduce new rules to protect players from overwork. This could include mandatory rest periods and limits on the number of games a player can participate in within a certain timeframe.
Improved Medical Support – Clubs could invest in better medical and fitness programs to help players recover more quickly and reduce the risk of injuries. Advances in sports science could play a key role in managing player fitness more effectively.
Pep Guardiola’s comments highlight a growing issue in football—players are being overworked due to the increasing number of matches, leading to a rise in injuries. While expanding squads to 40 players might help address the problem, it is financially unrealistic for most clubs. The real solution lies in making adjustments to the football calendar, improving squad rotation, and prioritizing player welfare. If these issues are not addressed, injuries will continue to be a major problem, affecting both club and international football in the long run.
Football authorities, clubs, and managers must come together to find a balance between maintaining the excitement of the game and protecting the health of players. Only by making meaningful changes can football ensure that its top stars remain fit and able to perform at their best for years to come.
