Phil Foden has been described as a victim of football’s congested fixture schedule after missing out on England’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America.
The remarks were made by Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango who blamed the increasing number of matches in modern football for the declining performances and fitness struggles facing top players across Europe.
Foden, who plays for Manchester City, was left out of England head coach Thomas Tuchel’s squad following what many analysts described as a difficult season for the midfielder.
The 25 year old enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career during the 2023/2024 campaign where he won several individual awards including the PFA Player of the Year award after helping Manchester City compete for major trophies.
Phil Foden has been labelled a victim of football’s packed fixture calendar after being left out of England national football team’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America. Photo : Courtesy.
However, the England international struggled to maintain the same level of performance this season as injuries, fatigue and limited availability affected his form.
Speaking during a meeting organised by FIFPRO, Molango said modern football calendars are becoming too demanding for players.
“The number of games that he has been available for has dropped and when he has been available, it has not been the version of Phil Foden we saw two years ago,” said Molango.
He further criticised football authorities and organisers accusing them of prioritising commercial interests over player welfare.l
“Unfortunately he is one of the victims of this crazy calendar that only makes sense for those pursuing commercial gain,” Molango added.
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer was also mentioned among high profile players who struggled this season and failed to secure a place in England’s World Cup squad.
According to FIFPRO, players are increasingly facing physical and mental pressure due to the growing number of club and international matches played every season.
The organisation warned that players involved in high intensity competitions throughout the year could suffer injuries, burnout and reduced performance levels.
FIFPRO data further indicated that Declan Rice of Arsenal and Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool may face increased risk of injuries next season due to their heavy workloads.
Van Dijk featured in all 38 premier league matches for Liverpool while Rice made 36 league appearances for Arsenal during the recently concluded season.
Both players are expected to feature in the expanded 48 team FIFA World Cup tournament which will be played under high temperatures across different venues in North America.
Molango warned that the tournament could become a “survival of the fittest” if football authorities fail to address concerns over player workload and fixture congestion.
“There is a big chance that some of the most talented players will reach a point where it becomes too much. You cannot go into a competition having already played close to 60 games,” he stated.
Football analysts have continued raising concerns over the increasing number of matches involving elite players especially following the expansion of international tournaments and club competitions in recent years.
The debate surrounding player welfare has intensified ahead of the upcoming World Cup as football stakeholders continue discussing the balance between commercial growth and the protection of players’ health and careers.
