Cole Palmer and Ousmane Dembélé appeared impressive in photos taken at Top of the Rock ahead of the Club World Cup final, but it wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest both players might have benefited from resting over the summer instead.
The strain on top players' fitness was predictable before the revamped tournament began. “The worst idea ever,” Jürgen Klopp remarked, pointing to the risks of cramming more matches into an increasingly packed schedule. “Last year brought the Copa América and European Championship, this year the Club World Cup, and next year the World Cup. That leaves little time for recovery.”
This warning was hardly unreasonable. The fixture list was already stretched due to disruptions from the pandemic, the winter scheduling of the 2022 World Cup, and the expanded Champions League format. Fifpro, the players’ union, has frequently raised concerns about rising injuries and exhaustion. Yet, the solution has been to add even more matches. The governing bodies have largely ignored these worries, risking depleted performances when the expanded 48-team World Cup kicks off next year in Canada, Mexico, and the US.
Palmer serves as a clear case. The 23-year-old was outstanding for Chelsea in the Club World Cup, dismantling Dembélé's Paris Saint-Germain in the final. Yet, he has scarcely featured this season. The likely explanation? Overuse. A persistent groin issue has troubled him for a year. While surgery hasn’t been recommended, there’s growing concern—much like Arsène Wenger once said of Jack Wilshere—that he’s operating in the danger zone.
This is alarming. Matches without Palmer, whether for Chelsea or England, lose something significant. His talent is undeniable, but physical limits apply to everyone. It’s unreasonable that he’s had no extended break in three consecutive summers. After starring for England’s Under-21s in their 2023 European triumph, he played a key role in the senior team’s Euro 2024 run and remained active for Chelsea until mid-July.
When does it become too much? Palmer featured in 57 games for club and country in 2023-24, his first full season as an established top-level player. While he sat out the Conference League group stage, he was pivotal in the knockout rounds, earning man-of-the-match honors in May’s final against Real Betis. The PSG clash marked his 55th appearance of the season, followed immediately by an England qualifier in June.
His extended absence this season should come as no shock. Though long-standing, this issue could have been mitigated with proper rest. This isn’t just Palmer’s problem—it’s a wider pattern that shows no sign of slowing.
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