England is heading into Euro 2024 with high hopes and significant pressure, as Gareth Southgate's squad aims to capture their first major trophy since 1966. Despite being the bookmakers' favorites, the Three Lions are at a potential disadvantage due to their players' extensive game time over the past season.
According to Kitman Labs, England's squad has logged more cumulative minutes than any other team set to compete in Germany. This high workload raises concerns about player fatigue and injury risks, which could hinder their performance.
Star players like Phil Foden, who played 61 matches for Manchester City and England, and Arsenal's Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka, who played 58 and 51 games respectively, exemplify the demanding schedules faced by key team members. Newcastle's Anthony Gordon also epitomizes the issue, having played 48 matches before sustaining an ankle injury, casting doubt on his availability for the upcoming warm-up against Bosnia.
Kitman Labs' founder, Stephen Smith, highlighted the impact of such a grueling season, noting the increased injury risks and limited training time between games. "The average number of minutes played by the players in England’s squad is the highest of any team who will be at the Euros," Smith said. "When you put athletes through a number of really tough physical exposures in a short space of time, that clearly puts them under greater risk of injury."
To mitigate these risks, Kitman Labs will work closely with the England team to optimize player performance and manage their physical well-being throughout the tournament.
England will begin their Euro 2024 journey in a group featuring Serbia, Denmark, and Slovenia. Their final preparations include warm-up matches against Bosnia and Iceland. As they navigate the tournament, managing player fitness will be crucial for Southgate's squad to fulfill their potential and bring home the trophy.
