Chelsea: Nothing good can come of the latest international break
As Chelsea players break for two weeks to go off to join their international sides, the risk drastically outweighs the reward.
Playing for one’s country is said to be an honor that cannot be described by words. However, as Coronavirus continues to spread rapidly across every corner of the globe, the international break is becoming more and more unjustifiably silly. Of course, fringe players on these national teams will see the benefit, but there are a minuscule number of Chelsea players competing for a spot in that sense.
The stadiums are empty, there are few people watching due to television restrictions and the games are meaningless. Don’t give me that crap about the Nations League being a real tournament either, it’s a slew of glorified friendlies. On that note, the international break is now turning into another obstacle in this already challenging season. Forget surviving the harsh winter schedule, Chelsea will be lucky if its players make it through the next two weeks unscathed.
The biggest risk during this period is obviously the Coronavirus. Two Chelsea players (that we know of) have had COVID-19 already: Callum Hudson-Odoi and recently, Kai Havertz. Many European countries—including (but not limited to) England, France, Germany and Greece—have implemented some form of a nationwide lockdown amidst a “second wave” of the virus. Cooler temperatures make it easier for the virus to spread and numbers are spiking across the world as a result.
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This begs the question, why are footballers allowed to travel during this period? European governments are making it clear that they want football to stay the course, but the ignorant decision to allow international travel foreshadows another sport shutdown. This is especially idiotic considering the games are—as previously stated—insignificant. Chelsea has players getting the call up across the world from places like Brazil (No. 3 in total cases) to France (No. 4) to the United States (No.1). It’s worth noting the U.S. National Team will spend its time in the UK, but there are managers and staffers traveling internationally regardless. Worldwide movement increases the chances an individual contracts the virus. As we’ve seen over the last few months with some football clubs, all it takes is one case to doom a team for weeks.
The other big factor plaguing this international stoppage is the taxing impact the swift run of matches has on players. Our site has preached the concept of rotation ad nauseam for months now and while it sounds silly to keep harping on, it is important. Players like Mason Mount, Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner and Havertz have all looked exhausted on the pitch on more than one occasion recently. The problem is these players all have vital roles in their national sides.
The international break is anything but its namesake—it isn’t a break at all. Sure, the athletes break from their clubs, but there is no relaxing or change of pace involved. National team managers have a finite amount of time with their players every year, they’ll be damned if they let that go to waste. In turn, this results in further exhaustion or injuries. Look no further than Edouard Mendy a few weeks ago. He was hurt while on duty with Senegal and that kept him out of a Premier League contest, one the Blues dropped points in.
The overuse of these players on an international level—and exhausting run of games in domestic leagues—results in clubs essentially being punished for something they had no direct part in. It puts the players in a peculiar pickle, as well. On one hand, they can opt out of international duty and risk losing their spot in the team. On the other, they can rest and prioritize meaningful league and European matches over fatuous friendlies.
Christian Pulisic is nursing an injury. Werner and Chilwell are in desperate need of a rest. Mount is exhausted. These are just the cases in the Chelsea team that need addressed right away. The international break isn’t likely going to be favorable to any of these individuals. At the end of the day, they’re human beings like you or I, not machines designed specifically for our entertainment.
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Congratulations international break, you’re going to successfully keep millions of fans on the edge of their seat for the next two weeks. The attention is all that matters to these associations, not the fans praying for player safety before they go to bed at night. Nothing good can come of this international break for anybody, but especially the red hot Blues, whose squad is incredibly delicate at the moment thanks to the current circumstances.