Phil Neville backs calls to ease workload

Nov 2 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

PHIL NEVILLE has welcomed renewed calls for a mid-season break in the Premier League as he warned players are in danger of suffering from burnout.

FA chief Gordon Taylor reopened the debate yesterday with comments regarding the demands on leading footballers.

With the UEFA Cup and a lengthy run in the League Cup adding to their commitments, Everton’s players have experienced a hectic start to the campaign and are currently in the middle of a sequence of seven games in 23 days.

Including internationals, Neville has appeared in 17 games during the first 10 weeks of a season that has already included arduous trips to Ukraine and Russia.

And with other top-flight players under even greater strain, the Everton man believes a winter hiatus would benefit both the clubs and the England national team.

“You end the domestic season in early May, then we have an international on June 6,” said Neville. “For three weeks you’ve got to train and play friendly games, all because the season is crammed into a short space of time.

“Maybe if we extended the season by two or three weeks, it would fit in with the international calendar and help England.

“We’ve been to major championships the last couple of times and players have been fatigued.”

The only major European leagues not to have breaks are England and Portugal and Neville can see the benefits of changing the Premier League schedule.

“Halfway through the season you might need a little break,” he said. “Then you attack the second half of the season like you did the start, feeling totally fresh and looking forward to it.”

Neville added: “You’re seeing top-class Premiership players retiring from international football when they’ve still got their best years ahead of them.

“It’s because they’re playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday-Wednesday. For me, playing for England is still the pinnacle and always will be. But I totally understand why some players concentrate on their club careers.

“Sometimes in life something’s got to give and for certain players it’s international football.”

Meanwhile, Yakubu has been dropped from Nigeria’s squad for the forthcoming friendly against Australia following a spat with coach Berti Vogts last month.

The forward was unhappy after being left on the bench for the Nations Cup qualifier against Lesotho, and was only persuaded by Vogts’ assistants to take his place on the bench.

Victor Anichebe will also not be involved, although Joseph Yobo has been included for the squad for the match at Craven Cottage on November 17.

THERE are still a number of seats available for tomorrow’s Premier League clash against Birmingham City at Goodison. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling 0870 442 1878 or at the Park End Box Office.