Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to remain in north London during the mid-season break does not surprise medical expert Ben Dinnery.
It was reported earlier this week that Antonio Conte had requested for the club to go on a warm-weather training session during the World Cup break but the club decided against it. The Athletic reported how they are the only team in the ‘big six’ that are not going. They are also only one of the three Premier League teams that are staying in England, while others travel to the Middle East.
Eight players from Spurs’ starting XI are playing in the World Cup in Qatar and injury expert Ben Dinnery says he can understand the club’s decision of staying at the club despite the players’ disappointment.
He told Football Insider:
“Ultimately the players may be a little bit disappointed or disheartened that some of their compatriots are off to sunny climates and they are stuck in north London with whatever the British weather presents.
“Certainly from that aspect you would always prefer to get yourself away.
“But if you look at the facilities at Tottenham Hotspur Way and the money they’ve spent, you probably look elsewhere in the world and, other than the weather, what is comparable? It’s cutting edge.
“There might be part of Antonio Conte’s thoughts that you go off to these warm weather camps and potentially, with changes of environment and time zones, you are opening players up to picking up the odd illness and virus.
“Potentially you could lose days of training for certain players. During this period every second, every minute counts, particularly when you want to keep everyone for the second half of the season.
“You can understand why that decision has been taken. Of course, there’s nobody that comes around that says you have to get yourself away. These decisions are made on an individual club basis.
“It doesn’t come as a huge surprise.”
One can see some sense in the argument provided by the injury expert. Spurs who don’t have the biggest of squads will need as many players to be fit as possible keeping in view the hectic pile of fixtures that they’ll have post World Cup.
The World Cup itself will be exhausting for the players in Qatar, who will be at an increased risk of injury. And hence they might not want to risk the players to potential illnesses, or viruses.