Alan Shearer voices different opinion to Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk on heavy workload

Surely did not mince his words, did Alan Shearer. Over the course of years, we have demanded more from our footballers in terms of fitness levels, number of matches played and things along those lines.

Very recently, it was Raphael Varane who first spoke about how difficult it is for players to cope with the pressure of playing too many games and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk added to the same.

Virgil called on fellow players to speak up about the constant increase in the number of fixtures they play and urged more footballers to speak on it. However, Premier League legend and pundit Alan Shearer has a contrasting opinion.

Speaking on Van Dijk’s comments, here is what Shearer had to say via The Mirror:

“Nonsense. Nonsense. Players are playing too much football? What? I mean come on,”

“I know you should never mention the money, but you’ve got bigger squads than ever, more substitutes than ever, getting paid more money than ever, you’ve got the best physios, the best technology, the best of everything. Do me a favour, playing too much football? F***ing hell.”

Shearer’s perspective is certainly a stark contrast to the sentiments expressed by some players and coaches who have called for a reassessment of the football calendar to ease the workload on players. The discussion revolves around the physical and mental toll that a packed schedule can take on athletes and whether adjustments should be made to protect their well-being.

The differing viewpoints on this issue highlight the ongoing debate within the footballing community. While some, like Shearer, believe that the modern game offers ample support and resources to handle the demands of a busy schedule, others argue that player welfare should be a top priority, especially in light of injuries and burnout concerns.

While Shearer’s comments are understandable, it is only fair to let players speak of what is going on with them, and how they feel instead of making a judgement based on how different the circumstances were in the past.

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As the conversation about fixture congestion and player workload continues, only time will tell whether any changes will be implemented to address these concerns. The perspectives of individuals like Shearer and Virgil, with their strong opinions, surely contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the state of the game and the well-being of its players.