The Unsung Heroes of the Premier League
Ruben Peeters and Jonathan Power are names that may not ring a bell outside the world of professional football, but within the sport, they are becoming increasingly important. Peeters, who oversees Liverpool’s physical performance, and Power, the club’s director of medicine, have been instrumental in keeping their team healthy and performing at the top of their game. In a season where the fixture list is more demanding than ever, the ability to maintain and deploy players at their peak is starting to overshadow traditional factors like star talent and tactics. This growing importance of sports science and medical staff is a reflection of how the intensity of the football calendar has evolved, with clubs now searching for ways to manage the relentless pace of the game much like they do with recruitment and set-piece strategies.
The Rising Tide of Injuries
Many in football took note of Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou’s comments after his rejuvenated squad beat a severely injury-ravaged Manchester United. “What’s happened to us is going to happen to other clubs,” he warned, dispelling the notion that his remarks were mere excuses. The reality is that injury lists are lengthening and staying that way for longer, a direct result of the increased fixture list. Players are covering more ground and sprinting more frequently than ever before. Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, for instance, is estimated to sprint 500 meters per match, a testament to the physical demands of modern football. Recent weeks have seen a string of hamstring injuries, including high-profile cases like Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, and Nicolas Jackson. These injuries are often seen as red flags for fatigue, indicating that the current schedule is pushing players to their limits.
The Overcrowded Calendar
The issue of an overcrowded calendar is not new, but it has been exacerbated by the pandemic. Leagues and cup competitions had to be condensed, and the rearranged Euro 2020 added to the strain. Now, with expanded European competitions and a new Club World Cup on the horizon, the situation is only getting worse. Former FIFA Council member Moya Dodd describes the international football calendar as a "wealth allocation mechanism upon which the game hinges," highlighting how control over scheduling translates to financial control. FIFA and UEFA, rather than being neutral regulators, are now competing for time, space, revenue, and players. The tension is palpable, with the Premier League refusing to grant delayed starts to the 2025-26 season for clubs participating in the Club World Cup. FIFA’s response, pointing to the Premier League’s summer series in the US, seems dismissive given the stark differences between pre-season friendlies and full tournament commitments.
The Manager-Performance Staff Tension
This intense schedule has created a new dynamic between managers and performance staff. While it’s rare for managers to completely ignore medical advice, there is a spectrum of how closely they follow it. Some coaches are known for their dogmatic approach to tactics, often insisting on training at game intensity, which can lead to significant physical strain on players. In extreme cases, there have been instances of head coaches dismissing medical advice, and even insider anecdotes of sporting directors having to step in to enforce rest periods based on physical data. This tension is further complicated by modern recruitment logic, where about 80% of player wages go to those who feature regularly. Coaches, under constant pressure to perform, are often inclined to play their star players despite the risks.
The Role of Performance Directors
The impact of this demanding schedule is driving a shift in how clubs manage their players. The Championship, which has dealt with such intensity for longer, has provided valuable insights. Recent studies suggest that less training can lead to more wins, with some clubs limiting two-game weeks to just two days of intense sessions. Liverpool, under the guidance of Michael Edwards, has adopted a similar approach, focusing on longer, less intense training sessions. Edwards’ return has brought a heightened focus on performance, and the appointment of Arne Slot, who brought Peeters from Feyenoord, underscores the club’s commitment to this strategy. The real solution, of course, is a more cohesive and balanced calendar. However, given the current landscape, the rise of performance directors who can bridge the gap between medical staff and coaching staff seems inevitable. Wealthy clubs are also pushing for larger squads to manage the workload more effectively.
The Uncertain Future
As the season progresses, the impact of injuries could bring significant and unpredictable changes. With so many fixtures and so little rest, clubs that can effectively manage their players’ physical and mental well-being will have a distinct advantage. The tension between manager-led and performance-led strategies will continue to define modern football, and those who can strike the right balance will likely be the ones to succeed. For now, the football authorities show no signs of reducing the fixture list, making the role of sports science and medical staff more critical than ever. The coming months will test the resilience of clubs and players, and the decisions made behind closed doors could well be the deciding factor in who comes out on top.
