ANDYDUNN CARABYE CUP
Great to win silver at home... but it impacts too much on Prem clubs fighting on the grander, Euro stage
Drug testing of players has become more stringent, although it could hardly get any less stringent since the days, not long ago, when footballers would routinely tell of going a whole season without being asked to pee in a pot.
But the number of failures has been minimal and the majority of the small number of offences has been for recreational drugs. Why would a footballer dope? There is no pill for skill, the newish old saying goes.
No, but there is one that helps recovery time, another that helps the body cope with the physical demands of sport, one that gives stamina and speed short-term lifts.
I have watched elite football for three decades and these current guys are phenomenally fit.
If they were cyclists, swimmers or athletes, there is only one question I would ask… what are they on?
There are many footballers out there who are running, mostly at full tilt, over eight miles in 90 minutes. That they are doing it unaided by pharmaceutical help is fantastic.
But, if the demands on the modern Premier League player continue to increase, who knows how many will be tempted to gain an illegal edge?
For now, though, the concern is probably limited to how the demands dilute the quality.
Thursday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge was a marvellously robust affair, but, as Tottenham become beset by more injuries, you could not help but wonder what effect the contest would have on their season.
There is every chance they will be knocked out of another cup competition today.
They have played twice since opponents Crystal Palace were in action and that has to be a factor.
And, soon, it will be on to the Champions League. Spurs face Borussia Dortmund, the Bundesliga leaders, on February 13, in the first leg of the round of 16 tie at Wembley.
In the 12 weeks prior to that game, Tottenham will have played 21 matches.
In that same period, Dortmund will have played 13 matches. That can be nothing but a significant advantage for a German team who operate in an 18-strong league.
With their wealth, we expect Premier League sides to go deep and even win the Champions League, but then we saddle them with overly arduous fixture demands.
Yes, the Carabao Cup has provided great moments this season and will provide another when Chelsea face Manchester City on February 24.
But is it really a place for Premier League teams, especially those trying to compete on Europe’s grandest stage? No. Dortmund players and officials must have been chuckling as they watched their Champions League foes slaving away in a subsidiary knockout competition.
Rewards for elite players have never been higher, but neither have the physical demands.
And something has to give – or players might just start looking for all the help they can get.
THE ramifications of the tragedy that unfolded over the Channel last Monday will be far-reaching. But, for now, just contemplate the scale of the pain being felt by the families of Emiliano Sala (above) and Dave Ibbotson. It is against our nature to put football into perspective, but this tragedy should do exactly that. IT is probably no more than a coincidence that Thierry Henry (right), Gary Neville and Alan Shearer – TV pundits all – have not had the best of times in their crack at management.
Or maybe it shows it has to be your instinct, it has to be in your gut.
When you have first been attracted by the TV gig, maybe your heart is never going to be 100 per cent in management. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown adds to the oceans of tributes for an inspirational wordsmith. Kids, or anyone, if you ever decide to actually read a book, make it Mcilvanney on Football.
Dortmund must be chuckling as Spurs slave away for a minor cup
“I DON’T like to talk about it, but I have refused three options already.” There’s Jose Mourinho (right) not liking to talk about how in-demand he remains. Don’t think anyone needs to worry about his ego being shrivelled by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s deeds right now.