West Ham United boss David Moyes has delivered a worrying prediction ahead of another busy summer of football.
David Moyes lifts lid on key change he made which has transformed West Ham
Moyes is basking in the glory of leading West Ham to the club’s best ever Premier League points total and into the Europa League group stages for the first time.
The Scot is currently on a brief holiday back home north of the border after West Ham’s relentless compacted Premier League season came to a successful conclusion.
No rest for the wicked as relentless football schedule continues
But as the old adage goes there is no rest for the wicked and Moyes will soon take on the role of technical observer for UEFA during this summer’s European Championships.
Six of Moyes’s West Ham stars will be involved in the Euros.
It means there will be hardly any rest for players as the season then resumes one month after the final of the delayed major international championship.
And the concerned West Ham manager has predicted squad meltdowns and in-fighting as physical and mental fatigue sets in (The Times).
West Ham boss predicts meltdowns and in-fighting
“Players have been asked to come out of one bubble and go straight into another,” Moyes told The Times.
“There is the pressure to do well and there is the additional travel caused by the finals being played across 11 countries. I wonder if we might see a meltdown or two — whether that involves fallouts in a squad, or breaches of a Covid bubble.
“Unity and spirit helped “smaller” clubs navigate the difficult conditions and do well in many of the domestic leagues, so could this be a tournament where a few smaller nations also come to the fore? Or is that wishful thinking from a Scot?”
Moyes may well prove to be spot on.
Let’s hope international Hammers get home safe and sound
After all West Ham’s brilliant team spirit was hailed as key to the club’s success last term.
We have seen it before at major tournaments where players have been sent home or walked out after clashes and disagreements.
West Ham fans will be hoping none of their stars are involved if things do kick off in the various squads.
But the main priority for Moyes this summer will be getting West Ham’s key men Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and co home safe, sound and uninjured.