Harry Kane claims players are being ignored over burnout fears as Thomas Tuchel shares break concerns
HARRY KANE claims the world’s top stars are being ignored over burnout fears.
England captain Kane faces another summer without a proper break as Fifa’s month-long Club World Cup starts five days after the Three Lions’ friendly with Senegal on June 10.
The Bayern Munich striker, 31, is one of at least a dozen England stars who are due to play in the revamped £600million 32-team tournament in the US — with boss Thomas Tuchel also concerned.
Players’ unions, including the PFA, have filed a legal complaint against Fifa over the tournament amid welfare worries.
But Kane said: “There’s nothing we can really do about it. I don’t think the players are listened to that much, if I’m honest.
“We’re getting used to it but it’s another summer where you do not have a break. There are arguments from the clubs — to generate more money.
“But there’s also a player welfare point where there’s only so much you can do without more injuries. It is a really hard balance.”
Kane, who had less than four weeks off after Euro 2024, previously urged Prem chiefs to bring back a winter break to combat the crazy calendar.
While Manchester City’s Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, 28, warned stars were close to going on STRIKE before his heartbreak ACL injury in September.
He insisted: “Someone has to take care of us. We are the main characters of this sport.”
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Rodri’s City team-mates Manuel Akanji and Bernardo Silva, Liverpool keeper Alisson and Aston Villa boss Unai Emery have also pleaded for a reduction in the number of games.
City and Chelsea are England’s representatives in the Club World Cup, while Kane’s Bayern and Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid will also take part.
And Kane added: “If we get to the Champions League final on May 31, you’ll go straight into England then straight into the Club World Cup. So there won’t be any time.”
England boss Tuchel also expressed his fears about the tournament, which runs from June 15 to July 13.
Tuchel’s side face Andorra in a World Cup qualifier on June 7, then Senegal three days later.
And the German boss admitted: “I am worried about the players being able to have a break.
“I am not so concerned about the amount of games they play, I am more concerned they never have a real break of four weeks. That’s the problem.”
PFA chief Maheta Molango wants players limited to a MAXIMUM of 60 games per season.
And Tuchel added: “The Fifa June window is not ideal for anyone, especially the players. Maybe Fifa can put this window somewhere else for the benefit of players.”