March 27 – England captain Harry Kane (pictured), who recently scored his 71st international goal for his country, has said that players are not listened to or consulted with over scheduling concerns.
After playing two games in the space of four days in World Cup qualifying, the Bayern Munich striker already has his eyes on the next international window that takes place between June 2 and 10, just three days after the UEFA Champions League final that his club hope to contest in their Allianz Arena stadium.
Bayern, who currently lead the Bundesliga, are also set to be involved in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup from June 15 until July 13, should they reach the final.
Kane, 31, has not won any silverware during his career despite scoring goals for fun and realizes that his presence is required if Bayern and England are to fulfil his dreams.
“I don’t think the players are listened to that much, if I’m totally honest,” he said. “But also everyone wants their piece, their tournament, their prize, and the players are the kind of people who have to get on with it.
“But it is what it is. I love playing football, so I’m never going to complain about playing football.
“I think if you manage it well, with your coaches and your manager and your clubs, there are ways of getting more rest in certain moments.
“But it’s not an easy question and it’s not an easy situation. I think there could be a balance from both sides, but we’d have to see how that pans out.”
His new international manager, former Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel, is not a fan of the June window and is more concerned that players never have a real break of three to four weeks.
“Maybe they have three weeks’ holiday, but maybe after five days they play another competition. That’s the problem,” he said.
“They should have a minimum three or three-and-a-half weeks of preparation. Then it would be better for everyone.
“In general, being a club coach or international coach, the Fifa June window is, I think, debatable, if this makes sense.
“I think it would be Fifa to align the calendar and maybe find a gap where we could put this window somewhere else, to open the window for the better of the players.”
The players have a voice in their global union, FIFPro, but unless there is strike action, their voices will inevitably be muted in the race for the money that all these matches generate.
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