Is it time for the Premier League to have a winter break?

Is it time for the Premier League to have a winter break?

It’s not just the fact that the Premier League teams have been terrible in the Champions League this season, because as we all know English teams have a very good record in at least the past decade when it comes to Europe. But the National team’s very poor record in major tournaments have kept the issue of a winter break in the news. Naturally many foreign players and managers welcome the idea, but is there even room for it in an already congested fixture calendar?

Over the past decade this issue of a winter break has slowly been gaining pace. Problem is, many seem to think if the Premier League did have a winter break, it will have to sacrifice all or part of the traditional Christmas holiday fixture list.

I think this does not have to be the case, I have studied the fixture list and although it wont be easy the two weeks just before the Christmas fixture list could be the window where a break could happen. I am sure they can find room for two extra midweek fixtures.

It would be a good break or rest for the players just before going into the rigorous Christmas fixtures. It could also reduce the risk of injuries, which also seems to materialise going into the New Year after the winter programme. At the end of the 2010 season reports showed there were four times more injuries in the Premier League between April and May then leagues that do have winter breaks.

Many players contribute the Premier League’s gruelling schedule to being the reason why so many players retire from the English national side quite early. Due to this, it will be very rare for English players to reach over 100 caps for the national side such as players like Zanetti (145) Cafu (142) Cannavaro (136) Figo (127) Maldini (126)

David Beckham has reached 115 caps for England but he only played in the Premier League for 7 years of his England career and 6 years out of it Gone are the days where you can play your whole career in England and reach 100 plus caps such as Bobby Moore (108) and Bobby Charlton (105)

Although to their credit there are a few players that have played their whole careers in the England and are not that far off receiving 100 caps. Ashley Cole (93) Frank Lampard (90) and Steven Gerrard (89).

To be honest, how difficult or hard can it be? All the other top European leagues have a winter break and France, Spain, Italy and Germany have all won major Championships in the last two decades (although Germany’s last one came in Euro96)

Though there are a number of niggling problems that could affect the decision to have a winter break. If we were to get another bad winter of snow like we did last season and games are postponed, it could further congest the fixture calendar.

Fans that are used to a uninterupted Premier League season and may be against losing football for at least 2 weeks, even if it’s for the love of their club players or the national team. Not to mention players who may just be hitting a bit of form, the last thing they will want is a break from playing at that time.

Personally I think it’s a good idea, though English clubs have done well in Europe over the years, the national team need all the help they can get. Problem is will the traditionalist in the English FA be open to change?