5 players who could underperform this season due to fatigue

Football is an incredibly grueling sport that requires its willing participants to run for miles on end often without a break in search of glory. Despite being a hugely entertaining sport, many times the game fails to be a spectacle, though, regardless of the nature of the game, a full 90 minutes takes a toll on the players’ body and mind.Regardless, the draw of the game is such that players can’t stay away from the pitch, to the extent that they want to spend every minute they are fit on the pitch. The price to pay often comes in the form of injury or reduced efficiency during games. It’s a curse that has plagued individuals who have been a part of football for years but it tends to affect some teams more than others. More specifically some players. We’ve seen it happen to many players before and managers are more wary of it now, often resting their best young talent to prevent burnout. It is a real possibility that something might literally snap in their bodies to relegate them to the bench. Another possibility is the dip in their usual levels due to the mental fatigue they could suffer having played an enormous amount of football for prolonged stretches of time.

#1 Arturo Vidal

To many, he is the best box-to-box midfielder in the world at the moment and it is hard to argue otherwise. The power which he exudes on the pitch is an example for aspiring footballers to follow.

His all-action hustling style of play makes him one of the most difficult players to deal with and, at the same time, go past. This summer, the Chilean has returned to the Bundesliga as he will now represent the Bavarians for some time at least.

However, it might not be as rosy as many expect. Sure, he is going back to play on a familiar field. Sure, he is a world-class midfielder and there is perhaps none like him. But, when niggling knee problems marry a summer without rest due a victorious Copa America campaign, there could be complications.

For the last 3 seasons, the former Bayer Leverkusen man hasn’t played less than 45 games each season and with this and the last couple of summers being spent with Chile for international tournaments, it could take a toll on him.

There is no doubt that Vidal will perform well for Bayern Munich. However, the jury will be out on whether he can actually replicate his Juventus best—that makes him the best box-to-box midfielder—for the German club. One could only hope that fatigue doesn’t catch up with him and deprive the world of some graceful displays of ruthlessness.

#2 Sergio Kun Aguero

Underperforming and Sergio Aguero should never be in one sentence. Ever. Yet, this inexplicable crime has been committed because his fixture list and injury records from the last 4 years suggest that he could be close to breaking point.

In the last 4 seasons with Manchester City, he has played 48, 40, 34 and 40 games with the club. His last season was after a grueling World Cup where he led the line for the Albiceleste and he once again did the same in another runners-up campaign in the Copa America.

A troubling knee doesn’t help the cause either as the Argentine has had a history of recurring knee problems that has kept him out of action in patches—and with the amount of games he has played this year, he could incur the wrath of his weary knee.

This is not to claim that he will definitely have problems, but he might just feel the sting as the crunch part of the season is on the roll and that could mean a less-than-impressive season like the one he had in 2012-13.

#3 Angel di Maria

The second player on this list who has moved clubs this summer, Angel di Maria’s fall from grace has been quite swift. After finishing the 2013-14 season as the most important player in Real Madrid’s La Decima campaign, he was—to the surprise of many—sold to Manchester United for a club record £60 million fee.

What ensued after that was hardly predicted by many as, after a fine start, he succumbed to niggling injuries here and there and Louis van Gaal’s uncompromising methods.

Now, as he on his way to play in the French Ligue 1, he might have it easier here than he did back in England and Spain. However, it just might not.

After putting his heart out for Argentina in the 2014 World Cup, the burning was visible as he lined up for the Red Devils. It took its toll on the Argentine as the season progressed and the same could very well happen again after a both mentally and physically draining Copa America.

He was withdrawn from the final due to an injury—another sign of tiring muscles—and the lack of rest could very well go against him at the Parisian club. Moreover, the possiblr reoccurrence of the injury could play on his mind.

#4 Oscar dos Santos

This man has been playing football non-stop since 2012 and this was the only summer where he wasn’t busy representing his nation. Be it the Olympics or the World Cup, the Brazilian’s enthusiasm to keep playing cost him as he had a subpar season with Chelsea last year by his high standards.

The former Internacional starlet is the type of a player who doesn’t take many breathers on the pitch as his work-ethic doesn’t allow him to do so. It is unlikely that he will have two subpar seasons in a row with the Blues, but there remains a chance of inertia.

A mammoth 64, then 47 and then 40 games for Chelsea in the last 3 years is a testament to the fact that he has rarely got any rest and as he enters his mid-20s, the weariness could start to creep into him.

Although his injury record has been almost impeccable until this year as he has been marred by injuries on two separate occasions—one of which cost him a place in Brazil’s Copa America squad. It acted as a blessing as he has finally got some rest this summer and has started the season well.

#5 Alexis Sanchez

Another player who hasn’t had much rest in the last few years as he has racked up over an astounding 150 games in the last 3 years for both club and country. After a decent spell with Barca—during which he couldn’t show his true self for more than one reason—he joined Arsenal and took to the Premier League like a duck takes to water.

And in his first season with the club, he has established himself as the best player in the league with his ferocity in attack. The Chilean is a sturdily built winger-forward and uses his strength to a great amount to get the better of defenders.

He is perhaps Arsenal’s most fit player, but he might have played one too many games in the last couple of years. A season sandwiched between last year’s World Cup and this year’s Copa America, he risks upsetting his muscles and reports of a muscle fatigue a couple months of ago is an indication to that.

While his incredible fitness regime makes sure he that he possesses the beastly fitness like that of Cristiano Ronaldo, he still could suffer from muscle problems like the Portuguese has had to endure of late. It is a direct repercussion of over-playing and it could lead to an underwhelming campaign.