Kimmich: Fixture congestion good despite injuries
Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich recently sparked a heated debate within football circles. His comments on fixture congestion, especially given the recent spate of serious injuries, including that of his Germany teammate Marc-Andre ter Stegen, have drawn considerable criticism. Kimmich surprisingly voiced his support for the current, packed schedule.
“Maybe I’m making myself a bit unpopular,” he admitted, acknowledging the potential for backlash. “But I like to play a lot of games. In football, there will always be injuries.” This forthright statement immediately ignited a firestorm of discussion. It challenges the widely held belief that reducing the number of matches would significantly improve player safety.
Kimmich’s rationale goes beyond personal preference. He points towards the changing nature of modern football squads. “Squads are also getting a bit bigger,” he explained, “you can rotate more often.” This, he argues, allows managers to better manage player workload and implement more strategic substitutions, thus mitigating the risk of overuse injuries.
Moreover, he directly questions the assumption of a direct correlation between fewer games and fewer injuries. “I’m not sure if you get injured less if you play fewer games,” he stated plainly. “Many serious injuries are often accidents.” This crucial point underscores the unpredictable nature of injuries in football. Many are simply the result of unfortunate incidents on the pitch – tackles gone wrong, awkward falls, or sudden muscle tears – and these are arguably less affected by the overall number of matches. He implicitly suggests that focusing on prevention through robust training and player monitoring might be more effective than simply reducing the number of games.
However, Kimmich’s view is certainly contentious. Many argue convincingly that the relentless pressure of a packed schedule leads to chronic fatigue. This fatigue, in turn, increases susceptibility to injuries, resulting in longer recovery times and potentially even career-threatening issues. While Kimmich advocates a “play through the pain” approach, others counter that prioritising player welfare through careful game management is crucial for long-term health and success.
In short, Kimmich’s statement has re-ignited a vital debate. His controversial stance compels us to reconsider the complex interaction between game frequency, injury risk, and the evolving dynamics of modern football squads. The debate about player workload and its impact on injury rates is far from over.
