Gareth Southgate is ready to give his England players a week’s holiday before the Euro qualifiers this summer.
But Manchester City stars John Stones, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden could face the longest season in history if they reach the Champions League final. The 2022/23 campaign has been extended into June with the final Premier League fixtures on May 28, the FA Cup final on June 3 and Champions League final on June 10.
England also play in Malta on Friday, June 16, and then North Macedonia at Old Trafford three days later which extends the season into the third week of June with many clubs returning to pre-season training less than a month later. It will not be the first time that fixture backlog has hit Southgate’s plans and, to ease the marathon campaign, England will stagger the reporting-up times for the squad get together ahead of Malta and North Macedonia.
Last summer, players even flew on holiday directly after from the Midlands after playing in the Nations League. City would be red-hot favourites to win the Champions League if they get past Real Madrid and into the final but there would be little time to celebrate.
However, the England players who finish in May and are also not involved in the FA Cup final will get a week’s holiday before being expected to report up for a training camp at St George’s Park.
Tough test for agents
Agents have been complaining how tough the new FIFA exam was after the first sitting in London on Wednesday.
The hour-long test comprised of 20 multiple choice questions each and the passmark was 75 per cent. There is no limit on how many times candidates can resit the exam which, by the sounds of it, will be a relief to quite a few as they have been complaining it was very difficult.
The new FIFA agent licensing system has divided opinion but long-standing player representatives do not have to sit the exam as they are classed as “legacy agents.” They are happy that unscrupulous agents could get weeded out while it will be trickier for family members to represent players.
FIFA are determined to make it much tougher for families to be involved without the required qualifications and are confident the new regulations will stop them from running the show with just an agent signing off on deals.
Pere's plum picks
Super agent Pere Guardiola, brother of Manchester City boss Pep, is signing up some of Europe’s top young players.
Guardiola, who works for leading Dutch agency Sports Entertainment Group, has represented superstars like Luis Suarez down the years. But he is now recruiting some of Europe’s top young talents. City also boast one of the world’s best academies.
TalkSPORT's new show
Mark Pougatch, one of the best and most respected presenters around, will make his talkSPORT debut in the chair of their 7pm Kick Off show next Monday night.
Welsh tales
Gareth Bale is famed for his love of golf and most people thought he would never be off the course after his retirement from football.
But Wales legend Bale is looking in sensational shape as he also enjoys tennis and has become something of a regular in the gym since hanging up his boots.
Meanwhile, Wales’ FA head of public affairs and communications Ian Gwyn Hughes is putting his broadcasting background to good use as the squad’s quizmaster. Midfielder Joe Morrell has been dubbed “statto” because his team always wins.
