Van Dijk: “As players we are paid well, but it should never be at the expense of our health”

An issue concerning modern football that is not addressed as much as it should be, is the very burdensome schedule.

Back-to-back games have skyrocketed in recent years, with most players hardly ever getting the chance to restespecially if they compete at the top level and the national the team.

It was precisely this negative condition that was referred to Virgil Van Dyckat the press conference ahead of the Netherlands’ matches with France (13/10, 21:45) and Hellas (16/10, 21:45). The Dutch defender emphasized that the high salary of footballers should not be used as an excuse for overburdening them, while pointing out that the players themselves must take action.

“In England we think the schedule is too heavy. Players are paid well, but this should never be at the expense of our health. We are invited to play more and more matches. As players we have to start saying something, contribute to the solution of the problem”the experienced stopper said in detail.

?? Van Dijk: “In England we believe the schedules are too busy. The players are getting paid well but it should never come at the cost of our health”.

“We keep having to play more and more games. We as players should start saying something about it, contribute to a solution”. pic.twitter.com/BtU38rBO9d

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 12, 2023