Declan Rice has been speaking about fixture congestion ahead of the UEFA Conference League clash between West Ham and Anderlecht.
The £62,000-a-week man was keen to address the sheer volume of football he has played over the past 12 months, with matches coming thick and fast for the Hammers this month.
Declan Rice “knackered” at West Ham
Well, the east Londoners will take on Anderlecht in what is their second game out of nine clashes set to take place in October.
That works out at a game every 3.4 days, which is a very demanding schedule for David Moyes and his players to contend with.
When speaking about the fixture congestion, The Times quote Rice as saying: “I worked out last year from June to June I played 68 games. That is an obscene amount of games. I can’t go into a game and not give 100%.
“Every game I walk off and I’m knackered. There are big games for West Ham and England. I don’t want to get injured or do anything silly.”
Of course, the England international is a superb athlete, and it is testament to his professionalism that he has been able to take part in so many intense fixtures in the past year.
However, 68 games of football in 12 months is arguably unsustainable, and it could lead to long-term injury problems for young players later on in their careers. Some are surely susceptible to burnout.
Additionally, if every last drop is squeezed out of these players, football in general is in danger of serving up less entertaining matches with little intensity.
West Ham must be careful with Declan Rice
In our view, West Ham need to take good care of Rice given his importance to the side.
If he begins to look a little jaded after the World Cup in Qatar, it is important that Moyes manages him appropriately in the second half of the campaign.
In truth, West Ham’s season could fall apart if they lose Rice for an extended period of time.
As aforesaid, the West Ham No.41 is a very good athlete, but that shouldn’t be taken advantage of.
If the opportunity to rest Rice crops up, Moyes must take it.
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