The Guardian- A winter break will come into force in the Premier League for a first time in the 2019-20 season in a move the Football Association believes will help England to succeed at future World Cups and European Championships. The governing body has agreed to move the FA Cup fifth round to midweek and scrap replays, while one round of the Premier League will now be straddled over two weekends. The changes will accommodate a 10-day break in February and bring the Premier League into line with other leading divisions around Europe.
It’s times like these when I think about the good ole days of soccer. Maradona playing 200 games in a season and not complain about it, mostly because he was always on an energy high from an unknown substance. Players back in my day would walk 15 miles just to get to practice, through snow, rain, sleet, and/or lion pits, those player never complained. But nowadays, you got players thinking their models, looking to get a manicure every other day, shave off their leg hairs. These soccer divas we all know now wouldn’t last a minute in the 80’s. I haven’t seen so many hairless creatures and tons of diving since I went to Sea World (yes, it may be cruel, but we’re the hell else am I to get a buzz on, while seeing creatures that otherwise I would not plan on seeing elsewhere). WHAT IS THIS! That is not soccer. As my good friend Taylor Twellman would scream nearly popping a lung, “WHAT ARE WE DOING!!!”
But, to be serious for a minute, I don’t completely hate the move, I just can’t imagine how much a 10 day break is going to help. I can only think of the NBA giving the players like 2 days in between All star breaks for rest. Like MFers, 4 days isn’t enough for an 82 game season. I get it, everyday of rest matters, but it just isn’t enough. Though I would like to have as much soccer on my TV box as possible, it wouldn’t mean I don’t think they deserve a break. I’m just indifferent about how 10 days will effect positively for a national football team. Especially one like England. Oh well. There you have it. Let the pussification of soccer begin.