A week into the international break, West Ham still have another two weeks till their next game.
We are used to two-week international breaks; why is this one so long?
In recent years, FIFA has used five international breaks during the season. They were all two-week gaps in the club football calendar that take place in March, June, September, October and November.
However, to reduce the number of breaks to four, they decided to merge the September and October breaks into one three-week break.
A huge three-week break so little into the season and so soon after the World Cup is very frustrating, but in mine and a lot of football fans opinions it is slightly better than having so many breaks in quick succession.
Also, for the players who played in the World Cup and jumped almost straight back into club football for the start of the season will be relieved to have a break.
Or, in England’s case, some of those who played in the World Cup have pulled out. Most notably, Cole Palmer has reportedly pulled out of the squad to manage his workload; he didn’t even play in the tournament this summer.
Declan Rice has also pulled out of the squad, and it’s unconfirmed, but a lot of reports are saying it was for similar reasons as Palmer.
