PFA calls for mandatory summer breaks as internationals add to player workload

Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Maheta Molango has called for a mandatory three-week summer break and a further three-week retraining period for players, amid renewed concern about the demands of the football calendar. His proposal was reported by BBC Sport after an extended international window in which some Premier League players completed four full matches despite the pause in club competition.

According to the BBC, 25 Premier League players called up by their countries played 360 minutes during the three-week break. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was among them, having also played 55 club matches last season. Van Dijk, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers and Harry Kane each exceeded 4,000 minutes across all competitions in 2025-26, the report said.

Five players withdrew from England’s squad before the latest window: Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Rice, Kobbie Mainoo and Tino Livramento. Germany’s Kai Havertz and France captain Kylian Mbappe also withdrew from international duty. Molango cited the England withdrawals as evidence of problems with the schedule, arguing that players’ desire to represent their countries could not overcome the limits imposed by their bodies.

Dr Dave Richardson, who leads psychology, sports science and wellbeing at the University of Lincoln, told BBC Sport that the workload could not be sustained. He identified the absence of a single organisation overseeing the playing calendar as an obstacle to protected breaks. Different governing bodies prioritised their own competitions, he said, leaving players with little control over the demands placed on them.

The report also presented differing views from former England players. Matt Upson said a longer international camp could strengthen relationships and give coaches more time to work with their squads, while acknowledging the burden of four games after summer competition. Paul Robinson stressed the importance of preparation and recovery, but said players would still want to take part in major fixtures rather than accept enforced time away.

Cardiff University psychology lecturer Dr Chris James emphasised the need for psychological as well as physical recovery. He said clubs should better explain the value of downtime and help players detach from professional responsibilities. Molango’s proposed rest and retraining periods remain a demand for change, rather than a confirmed alteration to the calendar.