Are there too many games?

[Meanwood Villa]

Re the Club World Cup, there's still an Intercontinental Cup in Qatar in December, albeit the European champions will go straight into the final so will only play one match. The final will be against a team who will have played a semi final a few days earlier and, if it's the CONCACAF or CONMEBOL champions, a match a few days before that. So a bit of a shitshow really.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_FIFA_Intercontinental_Cup

[Meanwood Villa]

I think the Club World Cup itself gets to the heart of the question in this thread.On the one hand, it's a clear money grab from FIFA, on the other it's more football and as fans isn't this what we want? I'd ask Chelsea and Citeh fans how they feel about it but they've sold their soul so many times over there's not much point. I bet we'd like to qualify for the next one though.

[PeterWithesShin]

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber says the current fixture schedule is "dangerous" and is a "big topic" in the dressing room.

The debate about the football calendar drew attention after Manchester City midfielder Rodri said players are close to going on strike due to the congested schedule.

Timber, who missed the majority of last season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, said he "totally agrees" with Rodri's comments.

The 23-year-old Dutch international added: "It's a big topic at the moment in dressing rooms, not only at City and Liverpool but also our dressing room.

"I didn't play last season, so I'm just enjoying playing right now - you won't hear me complaining - but I totally understand what they're saying."

Last week it was announced Spaniard Rodri would miss the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Asked on Monday if players are more at risk of a serious injury as a result of the schedule, Timber said: "Definitely. I honestly think it's a dangerous thing. Last week we played City and I think they played again two days later - that's too much."

City manager Pep Guardiola said any change to the calendar must be player-led, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the players "voices need to be heard".

"It's a really good point," Timber added. "The players are speaking right now and let their voices be heard."

"It doesn't look like it's getting any less [busy] at the moment.

"We're just trying to be there every game to give our best, but it gets hard when the games keep coming and coming. Especially in England without having a winter break, it's really hard."

There will not be a winter break this season in the Premier League.

However, to avoid Christmas and New Year fixture congestion, the league will give more rest time to sides over three of the festive match rounds, with no club playing within 60 hours of another match.

In July, global players' union Fifpro said it would take legal action against Fifa over what it called an "abuse of dominance" in football.

The new Champions League format also means players face two extra games in the competition - and that could increase if a club doesn't finish in the top eight due to the play-offs added into the new group stage.

“That makes a difference," said Timber.

"You want to be in the top eight because you want the highest possible finish, but in this case it also makes a difference for your team in terms of resting.”

This season could potentially run until 13 July for some clubs, when next summer's expanded Club World Cup final concludes.

[Footy-Vill]

Price of success 7 massive games in 21 days
It will be:Sunday 130pm , Wednesday745pm ,Saturday 530pm Wednesday 8pm , Saturday 3pm  Tuesda 8pm , Saturday  530pm
30th, 2nd, 5th, 9th, 12th, 15th and 19th.

it’s exciting not being in FA Cup and Champions League means 3 extra games over this period.

Some players won’t be able to manage that and won’t be available for all the games.

There are also suspensions and injuries to consider.

[Neil Hawkes]

What I still don't understand that until yesterday we had played more premier league games than all our competitors.

And there's me thinking the premier league assisted in shuffling fixtures for their clubs playing in Europe......more fool me.

[cdbearsfan]

We'd played more because Liverpool are in the League Cup Final so our match against them was brought forward. Nothing to do with us being in Europe.

[paul_e]

We'd played more because Liverpool are in the League Cup Final so our match against them was brought forward. Nothing to do with us being in Europe.

Actually it is. The 'first' choice reallocation date for the finalists was 16/04 (when Newcastle play Palace) but that clashes with the 2nd leg of the Champions League QFs and because both us and Liverpool had the chance to be in that our game was shifted forward instead.

[darren woolley]

I don't think there is that's the price of success I would rather we played more games than less that means we are having a good season.

[Dave]

Darren Woolley, correct as always.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

I don't think there is that's the price of success I would rather we played more games than less that means we are having a good season.

We have a minimum of 12 games remaining. Every one of us should be hoping this turns into 17.

[eamonn]

Too many games means less training, which most players prefer.

[Demitri_C]

Its actually  worked out better for us that the liverpool game was moved forward. We get a long rest now for final push