International Break Good For Some But Not All

The two week international break will be a welcome blessing to those recovering from injury and those who have run their hearts out, during the 'compressed' season, that is unless the player has been called way to represent their country. Playing for one's country has always been seen as the ultimate accolade that can be achieved in the game, but it can come at an enormous cost, both to player and club.

Hammers fans need look no further than Manuel Lanzini, who received what has been a 'career' changing injury while away with the Argentine squad, he has come back, but he is a shadow of his former self, despite his best efforts. So the pride fans have in seeing their players go off to do international battle, is offset by the fear of potential injuries being picked up.

There is of course the added element of Covid-19 now, a positive test for several, or even one player can have a catastrophic effect on any team, particularly one that has an incredibly thin squad, as do West Ham.

David Moyes has expressed concern about the 'Czech Mates' Tomas Soufal and Vladimir Coufal, they journey to areas that are not up to the same level of inoculation, and as such are more vulnerable to infection. There is also the question of 'burn out', Soucek, Coufal and Declan Rice have played virtually every minute of every game the season, and in recent games have, like many other Barclays Premier League players, looked very leggy compared to the team that took the league by storm after the first two games.

It should be remembered that two of the key players during that 'assault' on the top four are currently out injured, the influential Angelo Ogbonna, and the equally important Authur Masuaku. Moyes has been unable to replace what 'King' Authur brings to the team, his ability to bring the ball out of defence was one of the key reasons fore the team's early season success. The 'Angel' might have organised things at the back better to cope with Arsenal's resurgence on Sunday, who knows? But it will be superb to have him available for the crucial run in of this, the weirdest of seasons.

Hopefully none of those away will get injured or ill, international recognition is uplifting, but it can be very expensive in many ways. - Ed