#player-workload

#player-workload

While it would be fantastic to see Schaefer on Team Canada, even if he doesn't play a major role, the Islanders may want to think twice about letting Schaefer head to the Olympics in 2026. The main reason lies in giving Schaefer some time off to recover for what could be an Islanders' playoff run this season. Schaefer has played in all 26 games this season.

And to think Christian McCaffrey was the guy everyone was worried about. After having his 2024 season ruined by bilateral Achilles tendinitis and a PCL strain, there was plenty of concern whether McCaffrey's football age was more than his biological age of 29. Surely it was time to start sharing the load and reduce the carries and receptions to maximize whatever he had left to give.

If losing to the eternal rival at the weekend wasn't bad enough for Barcelona supporters, the news that Pedri is now injured will be a bitter blow. The mischievous amongst us might suggest that he was banned anyway and could do without another international break where he'll be flogged to within an inch of his life by Luis de la Fuente, so there is a silver lining after all.

From next year, FIFA will alter the international match calendar, doing away with the existing two-week international breaks in both September and October. Instead those two breaks will be rolled into one compact three-week break that will take place across those two months. The new regular international match schedule will consist of three standard nine-day (i.e. two-match) breaks in March, June and November as well as a new, expanded 16-day break beginning in late September and running into early October.

Cole Palmer will miss Chelsea's next four games as the forward's injury woes continue. Palmer, 23, has been out of action since the middle of September, after being subbed off during his side's 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, with the England international lasting just 21 minutes. The former Manchester City man has now missed crucial games against Brighton, Benfica and Liverpool and is not expected to return until November.