There’s no secret that most Premier League players strive to play for their respective country. It comes with an honour and privilege to be selected and to be considered as one of the best players to play in your nation . There is immense pride and satisfaction when one hears or sees their name listed amongst quality players that they have dreamed of playing with. Although there is no major tournament pending, this is the perfect time to make a name for yourself and stamp yourself into the plans of the coaching staff.
While some are fortunate to be selected, there are many who are left back at their clubs for various reasons. What exactly do these players do while some of their teammates are away on international duty?
Three Premier League games have been played so far in the 2024/25 season and clubs have had to endure a two week hiatus while the international break was in session. Managers vary what they decide to do with their squad depending on a number of variables; how many players have left on international duty, what time of the year the break falls on, and fixtures coming up after the break. As the season has just begun, most clubs will be focusing on implementing strategies ahead of the upcoming games and making sure players will be fully fit once the season starts up again.
One of the main things coaches will implement is rest and recovery. Quite a few players who have not been selected or who have returned early from their countries will be aiming to use these days to recover from any injuries or niggles they have experienced during the opening three weeks of the season. Cole Palmer, for example, returned to Chelsea under the instruction of England interim head coach, Lee Carsley, to continue rehabilitation for ongoing issues.
Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins were also released back to their clubs and many others will be in this similar position as club coaches aim to ensure they will be fit and ready for the resumption of the Premier League.
Clubs will aim to use this short break wisely and conduct intensive training sessions with squad players and players who have not seen much game time so far this season. As the transfer window was only closed recently, clubs will have new players to get up to speed with their style of play and to test their aerobic fitness while the League season is in recess. Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal from Chelsea having played zero minutes so far this season. He will be one of these players who will use this time to get up to speed with Arteta’s style of play and the way Arsenal set up tactically. He has already begun training with his new team and was spotted this week with his new teammates.
As the Premier League will halt for twelve days, clubs will be keen to make sure their sides don’t lose their match sharpness. With the pressures and intensity the Premier League brings, coaches will need their players to be ready and focused for a busy period once the league kicks off again. Clubs like Brighton and Newcastle who have started the season brilliantly will try to use this free time to keep their teams sharp and the winning momentum rolling. While some organise friendlies, some clubs do travel to warmer countries or areas for warm weather training. As it is still quite warm in England currently, most clubs will stay at their training base for the break but during the breaks in November and March, clubs travel to places like Dubai and Portugal to undergo training sessions to increase fitness levels. In March, Everton flew to Quinta do Lago in Portugal’s Algarve for a mini-camp during the international break while Eddie Howe took his side to the Middle East to train in Dubai.
It’s not all work and no play for these players either. Players will have time off also during this period in order to focus on personal interests, engaging in sponsorship and media commitments and focusing on rehabilitation to prevent any minor injuries. Although it’s early in the season, club coaches will create time in the training schedule for players to have days off and spend time with their families also. With an action packed season ahead, the free time players have is scarce so this time is valuable for players who are not selected for international duty. Premier League managers have often allowed for players to take a few days off to travel with family and recover individually before rejoining the squad. In March, Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery and Roberto De Zerbi allowed their squads a few days break as the season was nearing a close and a tough few weeks remaining.
As Premier League fans, the international break disrupts our weekly schedule of tuning in to watch action packed games at the weekend. After waiting almost three months to watch our favourite clubs get back into competitive action, the international break comes at an inconvenient time and one that club coaches are not in favour of. These couple of weeks can be helpful for some players but it can also be a nightmare for managers with players potentially coming back with injuries. Martin Odegaard for instance has picked up an ankle injury while playing for Norway and he now faces a period on the sidelines. Instances like this must make you question why the international break has to happen so soon after the resumption of the league. With another international break in November, is it worth taking a look at the schedule again and possibly amending it to suit both clubs and countries?
