Premier League clubs are organising glamour friendlies during the World Cup.
Liverpool and Arsenal have already agreed to play AC Milan during their warm-weather training camps in Dubai. The Gunners are also looking at another big-name opponent having arranged to base themselves in the Middle East so players can fly in from Qatar once their World Cup campaigns are finished.
Dubai is just a 35-minute flight from Doha and other clubs are going to base themselves there to keep the players not involved in the tournament fit and fresh. Premier League bosses are planning to give those players some time off but then set up training camps before domestic fixtures restart on Boxing Day after the World Cup.
Perhaps the bigger concern for some clubs is how to manage players who go to Qatar as part of their nation’s squad but then get hardly any game time. If their country goes deep into the competition, they will be lacking match sharpness by the time they return to the Premier League.
There are plenty of strange quirks about how to manage players and their fitness in this unique season but the biggest challenge and worry remains about fatigue and injuries on the back of squeezing so many games in before the World Cup.
Physios and club medics have been in constant dialogue with national associations about players and their fitness and training levels but it remains to be seen whether performances will be affected in the build-up to the World Cup.
FA's Southgate stance unchanged
Gareth Southgate stayed on message at the Euros draw in Frankfurt last weekend.
The England boss insisted that he has a contract until 2024 but ultimately that would count for little because he would be judged on what happens at the World Cup. Despite the very clear inference, the FA are not wavering in their support and total faith in Southgate and their only thoughts are in him carrying on.
Everyone might not agree but it would also be very difficult to appoint a foreign replacement if the Football Association want to continue to say how important the St George’s Park structure is to English football. SGP celebrated its 10-year anniversary last week and provides world-class facilities for over 80 England team camps a year across men’s and women’s seniors, development and para squads.
Greaves record stands test of time
Erling Haaland has blown people away with his remarkable scoring feats, bagging 15 from his first nine Premier League games with Manchester City.
English football’s greatest-ever goalscorer, Jimmy Greaves, scored 11 in his first nine games in all competitions for Tottenham, and 11 in his second nine league games for Spurs, scoring in all nine matches.
That perhaps just goes to underline what an incredible striker Greaves was, that he still stands up to any comparison today. He scored 37 league goals the following season (1962/63), which is a Spurs club record.
Mike Donovan’s latest book - The Jimmy Greaves We Knew: The Authorised Celebration of a National Treasure - is a terrific tribute through the eyes of those who knew him about a player who is still the standard against everyone is judged.
Hand of God ball goes to auction
The World Cup ball used in the infamous 'Hand of God' game is being auctioned off by the Tunisian referee who missed the biggest piece of cheating in World Cup history.
Ali Bin Nasser expects to raise up to £3million through Graham Budd Auctions, who are in charge of the sale on November 16.
Diego Maradona punched the ball into the net during Argentina’s quarter-final win over England in the 1986 World Cup. Former ref Ali Bin Nasser said: “This ball is part of international football history - it feels like the right time to be sharing it with the world.”
Is the 'Hand of God' the most iconic goal of all time? Have your say in the comments!
Qatar pointers for World Cup loved ones
Families of England stars have been offered advice on security and culture in the build-up to the World Cup.
What to wear, local customs and posting online are among the issues experts have briefed to WAGs and loved ones going to Qatar to support the players. Meanwhile, the United States have laid on two-bedroom apartments and transport to and from games for the families of their players.
