The Premier League clubs fighting a World Cup hangover

Core Impact Points

• Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal are among the clubs most affected by the World Cup hangover, with players returning late and facing a challenging pre-season.
• The World Cup's biggest workload belonged to Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who played all 810 minutes of Argentina's run to the final.
• The Premier League season begins on August 21, just 33 days after the World Cup final, leaving clubs with limited time to reintegrate their players and prepare for the new season.
• The World Cup's impact on the Premier League is not just about the players' physical demands, but also the growing number of matches in the calendar, which is causing concern among managers and players.
• Rodri, who played 726 minutes for Spain, has warned that footballers are 'close' to striking due to workload concerns, and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has also voiced concerns about the demands being placed on elite players.
• The World Cup has concluded, but the countdown to the Premier League season is under way, and for some players, recovery comes first, and the race to be ready for opening weekend has only just begun.