With so many players jettisoned all over the globe during the international break, we’ve broken down the activity of all the key players over the past 10 days. With the Premier League recommencing on Saturday, players who’ve played on the other side of the world, particularly on either Tuesday or the early hours of Wednesday morning, could well arrive back on our shores slightly fatigued, and is certainly something worth considering as we plan for the weekend action.
Taking our queue from this hot topic from our Team News man Demi, we’ve compiled a list of minutes played over the last fortnight.
ARSENAL
With news that Laurent Koscielny has recovered from a back problem that kept him out of France’s clash with Serbia, the only current mild concern in the Gunners camp will be Alexis Sanchez having faced Paraguay with Chile last weekend. However, having played just 90 minutes and had ample time to travel back, he’s not expected to be adversely affected ahead of the Emirates meeting with Stoke. Feasibly, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s two starts and minutes for England could make him more likely to be considered for a rest.
Petr Cech – Czech Republic (03/09 (h) v Kazakhstan in Plzen and 06/09 (a) v Latvia in Riga – 180 minutes) – Played in two 2-1 victories as the Czech Republic secured their place in Euro 2016.
David Ospina – Colombia (08/09 (n) v Peru in New Jersey) – 90 minutes
Hector Bellerin – Spain U21s (02/09 (a) v Estonia in Tallinn) – 90 minutes
Santi Cazorla – Spain (05/09 (h) v Slovakia in Oviedo and 08/09 (a) v Macedonia in Skopje) – 92 minutes
Laurent Koscielny, Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud – France (04/09 (a) v Portugal in Lisbon and 07/09 (h) v Serbia in Bordeaux) – Koscielny only played 90 minutes in the 1-0 friendly win against Portugal but has since recovered from the back problem htat ruled him out of the Serbia clash. Debuchy was limited to 45 minutes as a substitute in the 2-1 win against Serbia, while Giroud played 64 minutes across the two matches, starting the second of the friendlies against Serbia.
Calum Chambers – England U21s (03/09 (h) v USA in Preston and 07/09 (a) v Norway in Drammen) – 180 minutes
Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott – England (05/09 (a) v San Marino in Serravalle and 08/09 (h) v Switzerland in London) – Gibbs was an unused substitute in both of England’s victories against San Marino and Switzerland. Oxlade-Chamberlain started both matches, playing 157 minutes in total, and scored against San Marino, while Walcott was limited to a 23 minute substitute appearance against San Marino, although he did manage to score twice.
Alexis Sanchez – Chile (05/09 (h) v Paraguay in Santiago – 90 minutes) – Scored a goal in the 3-2 friendly win against Paraguay.
Mesut Ozil – Germany (04/09 (h) v Poland in Frankfurt and 07/09 (a) v Scotland in Glasgow) – 180 minutes
Aaron Ramsey – Wales (03/09 (a) v Cyprus in Nicosia and 06/09 (h) v Israel in Cardiff) – 180 minutes
Joel Campbell – Costa Rica (05/09 (n) v Brazil in New Jersey and 09/09 (h) v Uruguay in San Jose) – 119 minutes
ASTON VILLA
Tim Sherwood will likely need to turn to Carlos Sanchez with injury concerns in midfield and the Colombian will be his major concern having only arrived back in the UK late this week. The same applies to Brad Guzan, although Sherwood will be less worried over his exertions.
Brad Guzan – USA (05/09 (h) v Peru in Washington and 09/09 (h) v Brazil in Massachusetts) – 180 minutes
Jordan Amavi – France U21s (05/09 (a) v Iceland in Kópavogur and 08/09 (h) v Brazil in Le Mans) – Was an unused substitute in France U21s win against 3-2 defeat against Iceland, but scored in the 2-1 friendly win against Brazil under-23s playing in the more unusual position at right-back.
Ciaran Clark – Republic of Ireland (04/09 (a) v Gibraltar in São João da Venda and 07/09 (h) v Georgia in Dublin) – 180 minutes
Alan Hutton – Scotland (04/09 (a) v Georgia in Tbilisi and 07/09 (h) v Germany in Glasgow) – 180 minutes
Carlos Sanchez – Colombia (09/09 (n) v Peru in New Jersey) – 90 minutes
Jordan Ayew – Ghana (05/09 (a) v Rwanda in Kigali) – 90 minutes
BOURNEMOUTH
There’s few concerns in the Cherries’ camp, with Matt Ritchie’s pitch time for Scotland limited to a brief cameo from the bench.
Artur Boruc – Poland (04/09 (a) v Germany in Frankfurt and 07/09 (h) v Gibraltar in Warsaw) – Unused substitute
Adam Federici – Australia (03/09 (h) v Bangladesh in Perth and 08/09 (a) v Tajikistan in Dushanbe) – 180 minutes
Matt Ritchie – Scotland (04/09 (a) v Georgia in Tbilisi and 07/09 (h) v Germany in Glasgow) – 9 minutes
Christian Atsu – Ghana (05/09 (a) v Rwanda in Kigali) – 90 minutes
CHELSEA
Any concerns over rest and recuperation will have been dwarfed by the news that Thibaut Courtois has been sidelined for a lengthy period with the knee injury sustained in training on his return from duty with Belgium. Elsewhere, arguably Diego Costa’s minutes for Spain will be beneficial as he attempts to build sharpness having notched just once for Chelsea this term. However, unlike Eden Hazard who scored in both his matches for Belgium, Costa will go into the early kick-off somewhat leg weary and without that confidence boost of goals over the break. Willian’s pitch time for Brazil is probably the only other concern for Jose Mourinho – the midfielder travelled back from the US having clocked up 123 minutes and, if Mourinho has options, he could be considered for a rest at Goodison.
Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard – Belgium (03/09 (h) v Bosnia-Herzegovina in Brussels and 06/09 (a) v Cyprus in Nicosia) – Both players played every minute of Belgium’s wins against Bosnia and Cyprus, with Hazard scoring in both matches.
Baba Rahman – Ghana (05/09 (a) v Rwanda in Kigali) – 90 minutes
Cesar Azpilicueta, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Diego Costa – Spain (05/09 (h) v Slovakia in Oviedo and 08/09 (a) v Macedonia in Skopje) – Azpilicueta was an unused substitute in both of Spain’s wins against Slovakia and Macedonia. Fabregas only played 67 minutes against Slovakia, while Pedro only played the full 90 minutes against Slovakia. Diego Costa started both matches, totalling 137 minutes.
Gary Cahill – England (05/09 (a) v San Marino in Serravalle and 08/09 (h) v Switzerland in London) – 90 minutes
Kurt Zouma – France (04/09 (a) v Portugal in Lisbon and 07/09 (h) v Serbia in Bordeaux) – Was an unused substitute in France’s 1-0 win against Portugal.
Nemanja Matic and Branislav Ivanovic – Serbia (04/09 (h) v Armenia in Novi Sad and 07/09 (a) v France in Bordeaux) – Both players played every minute of Serbia’s matches against Denmark and Armenia.
Willian – Brazil (05/09 (n) v Costa Rica in New Jersey and 09/09 (a) v USA in Massachusetts) – 123 minutes
Asmir Begovic – Bosnia-Herzegovina (03/09 (a) to Belgium in Brussels and 06/09 (h) v Andorra in Zenica) – 180 minutes
CRYSTAL PALACE
Pardew will need to monitor the fatigue levels in those who travelled distances, with Pape Souare, Yannick Bolasie and Lee Chung-yong the key concerns. In the case of Souare and Bolasie, the recovery time should be long enough to ensure that they are considered risk-free to face City. Yohan Cabaye has also recovered from the knock that forced him off during France’s win over Portugal, though Joe Ledley is a concern for the City encounter.
Wayne Hennessey and Joe Ledley – Wales (03/09 (a) v Cyprus in Nicosia and 06/09 (h) v Israel in Cardiff) – Hennessey played both of Wales’ matches against Cyprus and Israel, but Ledley missed out due to a hamstring injury.
Pape Souare – Senegal (05/09 (a) v Namibia in Windhoek and 08/09 (a) v South Africa in Johannesburg) – Played 90 minutes against Namibia, before playing 45 minutes as a substitute against South Africa.
Yohan Cabaye – France (04/09 (a) v Portugal in Lisbon and 07/09 (h) v Serbia in Bordeaux) – The midfielder was limited to 45 minutes in last Friday’s 1-0 win against Portugal after suffering a minor knock to his pelvis.
James McArthur – Scotland (04/09 (a) v Georgia in Tbilisi and 07/09 (h) v Germany in Glasgow) – Played 90 minutes in the 3-2 defeat to Germany, and also got on the scoresheet.
Lee Chung-yong – South Korea (03/09 (h) v Laos in Hwaseong and 08/09 (a) v Lebanon in Saida) – Scored in South Korea’s 8-0 win against Laos, and played 167 minutes in total
Yannick Bolasie – DR Congo (06/09) – unable to prevent his country slipping to a 2-0 defeat to Central African Republic.
EVERTON
Barkley’s minutes and goal for England will likely benefit his form and confidence going into the early kick-off with Chelsea, with Roberto Martinez unlikely to be concerned with doubts of fatigue for the 21-year-old. Elsewhere, Ramiro Funes Mori’s chances of earning inclusion in the matchdday squad will perhaps be limited by his exertions and late return after duty with Argentina.
Tim Howard – USA (05/09 (h) v Peru in Washington and 09/09 (h) v Brazil in Massachusetts) – 0 minutes
Seamus Coleman, James McCarthy and Aiden McGeady – Republic of Ireland (04/09 (a) v Gibraltar in São João da Venda and 07/09 (h) v Georgia in Dublin) – Coleman was left out for the match against Cyprus due to tightness in his hamstring, but the Everton defender completed 90 minutes against Georgia on Monday night. McCarthy started both matches and played 160 minutes, but McGeady only played 13 minutes as a substitute last Friday.
John Stones, Phil Jagielka and Ross Barkley – England (05/09 (a) v San Marino in Serravalle and 08/09 (h) v Switzerland in London) – Stones started against San Marino, playing 112 minutes in total. Jagielka played the full 90 minutes against San Marino, while Barkley totalled 177 minutes, and grabbed a goal and an assist against San Marino.
Ramiro Funes Mori – Argentina (05/09 (n) v Bolivia in Houston and 09/09 (n) v Mexico in Dallas) – 90 minutes
Muhamed Besic – Bosnia-Herzegovina (03/09 (a) to Belgium in Brussels and 06/09 (h) v Andorra in Zenica) – The Bosnian midfielder started both matches against Belgium and Andorra, playing 153 minutes, although he was sent off against Andorra.
Steven Naismith – Scotland (04/09 (a) v Georgia in Tbilisi and 07/09 (h) v Germany in Glasgow) – 59 minutes
Gerard Deulofeu – Spain U21s (02/09 (a) v Estonia in Tallinn) – Grabbed a goal and an assist as Spain’s under-21s beat Estonia 2-0.
LEICESTER
Shinji Okazaki, Jeffery Schlupp and Riyad Mahrez clocked up the air miles and all three will likely be monitored in training prior to the meeting with Villa this weekend. Okazaki is perhaps the most likely to have his chances of a start affected having been benched last time out at Bournemouth – he only made a return to the UK in midweek which may hamper his preparations and perhaps see Claudio Ranieri persevere with a 4-5-1 setup given his midfield options. Mahrez’ appearance for Algeria served as a handy indicator that he was fully fit following a back problem that saw him withdrawn against the Cherries last time out.
Kasper Schmeichel – Denmark (04/09 (h) v Albania in Copenhagen and 07/09 (a) v Armenia in Yerevan) – kept clean sheets in goalless draws for Denmark against Albania and Armenia.
Jeffrey Schlupp – Ghana (05/09 (a) v Rwanda in Kigali) – 3 minutes
Christian Fuchs – Austria (05/09 (h) v Moldova in Vienna and 08/09 (a) v Sweden in Stockholm) – 180 minutes
Andy King – Wales (03/09 (a) v Cyprus in Nicosia and 06/09 (h) v Israel in Cardiff) – 176 minutes
Gokhan Inler – Switzerland (05/09 (h) v Slovenia in Basel and 08/09 (a) v England in London) – 90 minutes played at Wembley
Andrej Kramaric – Croatia (03/09 (a) v Azerbaijan in Baku and 06/09 (a) v Norway in Oslo) – 0 minutes
Shinji Okazaki – Japan (03/09 and 08/09 – 168 minutes) – Scored twice in Japan’s 6-0 win against Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Jamie Vardy – England (05/09 (a) v San Marino in Serravalle and 08/09 (h) v Switzerland in London) – 90 minutes
Riyad Mahrez – Algeria (06/09 (a) v Lesotho in Maseru) – Having recovered from the back injury that forced him off in Gameweek 4, the winger completed the full 90 minutes, and grabbed an assist.
LIVERPOOL
While Brendan Rodgers will need to assess a host of international stars, only Roberto Firmino will be an immediate concern for the weekend visit to Old Trafford. Along with the suspended Philippe Coutinho, Firmino only arrived back from the US in midweek and will need to be monitored. Given Coutinho’s enforced absence, however, Firmino is surely likely to be called upon.
Simon Mignolet, Divock Origi and Christian Benteke – Belgium (03/09 (h) v Bosnia-Herzegovina in Brussels and 06/09 (a) v Cyprus in Nicosia) – Mignolet was an unused substitute in the wins against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus, while Origi came off the bench in both matches, playing 53 minutes. Benteke sat out the first game because of a thigh problem, and was subbed off at half-time against Cyprus for tactical reasons.
Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner – England (05/09 (a) v San Marino in Serravalle and 08/09 (h) v Switzerland in London) – Clyne played 158 minutes in England’s victories against San Marino and Switzerland. Milner totalled 148 minutes across the two matches.
Dejan Lovren – Croatia (03/09 (a) v Azerbaijan in Baku and 06/09 (a) v Norway in Oslo) – 0 minutes
Joe Gomez and Jordon Ibe – England U21s (03/09 (h) v USA in Preston and 07/09 (a) v Norway in Drammen) – Gomez started both matches for England under-21s against USA and Norway, playing 151 minutes at right-back, while Ibe completed the same amount of minutes, playing further forward on the right midfield of midfield.
Martin Skrtel – Slovakia (05/09 (a) v Spain in Oviedo and 08/09 (h) v Ukraine in Žilina) – 90 minutes in the second match.
Emre Can – Germany (04/09 (h) v Poland in Frankfurt and 07/09 (a) v Scotland in Glasgow) – Played 180 minutes for Germany in their wins against Poland and Scotland at right-back, and also grabbed an assist in the 3-2 triumph against the Scots.
Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino – Brazil (05/09 (n) v Costa Rica in New Jersey and 09/09 (a) v USA in Massachusetts) – Coutinho only played 23 minutes in Brazil’s 1-0 win against Costa Rica. Firmino played 45 minutes in the 4-1 win against USA in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
MANCHESTER CITY
David Silva’s ankle injury absence is the main concern for the trip to Palace. Fabian Delph is ruled out for a month-and-a-half with the hamstring injury that saw him pull up early on for England against Switzerland, while Bacary Sagna has recovered from the back injury sustained whilst on duty with France. Nicolas Otamendi will likely be monitored, along with Sergio Aguero, although the latter’s fatigue levels would have been aided by his limited 14-minute appearance against Mexico on Wednesday. Fernandinho is another who made a late return this week having represented Brazil in the US – he’s another who may need monitoring in training, having clocked up 99 minutes of pitch time in addition to the travel.
Joe Hart, Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph – England (05/09 (a) v San Marino in Serravalle and 08/09 (h) v Switzerland in London) – Hart played every minute in England’s wins against San Marino and Switzerland, and is still yet to concede a goal this season. Sterling played the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 win against Switzerland, and won the penalty which Wayne Rooney duly converted. Delph played 32 minutes against San Marino, but pulled up in the first minute against Switzerland with a hamstring injury, which will certainly rule the midfielder out of this weekend’s clash at Crystal Palace.
Eliaquim Mangala and Bacary Sagna – France (04/09 (a) v Portugal in Lisbon and 07/09 (h) v Serbia in Bordeaux) – Mangala played the full 90 minutes in France’s 2-1 win against Serbia. Sagna played 45 minutes against Serbia, and grabbed an assist, while the defender also played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win against Portugal.
Nicolas Otamendi, Martin Demechelis and Sergio Aguero – Argentina (05/09 (n) v Bolivia in Houston and 09/09 (n) v Mexico in Dallas) – Otamendi played 90 minutes in Argentina’s 2-2 draw against Mexico in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Demichelis also started that match, but was substituted after 77 minutes. Sergio Aguero scored twice and grabbed three assists in the 7-0 win against Bolivia, and also registered a goal and an assist as a substitute against Mexico. He only played 94 minutes in total, with just 14 minutes coming as a second-half sub against Mexico.
Vincent Kompany and Kevin de Bruyne – Belgium (03/09 (h) v Bosnia-Herzegovina in Brussels and 06/09 (a) v Cyprus in Nicosia) – Kompany played every minute in Belgium’s wins against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus, while De Bruyne played 179 minutes, and registered a goal and an assist in the 3-1 victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Aleksandar Kolarov – Serbia (04/09 (h) v Armenia in Novi Sad and 07/09 (a) v France in Bordeaux) – Played every minute in Serbia’s matches against Denmark and Armenia, and provided an assist against the latter.
Fernandinho – Brazil (05/09 (n) v Costa Rica in New Jersey and 09/09 (a) v USA in Massachusetts) – 99 minutes in total. Only played 25 minutes off the bench in the second match.
David Silva – Spain (05/09 (h) v Slovakia in Oviedo and 08/09 (a) v Macedonia in Skopje) – Played every minute of Spain’s wins against Slovakia and Macedonia, and registered an assist in the 2-0 victory against Slovakia.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Having penned a new contract with the club and returned to action via the internationals, David de Gea could be on course to start ahead of Sergio Romero this weekend. Romero, along with Marcos Rojo, faced a long-haul flight back from the US in midweek, though it’s uncertain whether either player will face Liverpool. Michael Carrick withdrew from England duties due to a calf complaint but has since been passed fit. He may oust Bastian Schweinsteiger in the double-pivot, given that the German played from start to finish in both his nation’s matches. Big money signing Anthony Martial was eased into the senior fray by France and was handed just 30 minutes over his two appearances.
David De Gea and Juan Mata – Spain (05/09 (h) v Slovakia in Oviedo and 08/09 (a) v Macedonia in Skopje) – De Gea played the full 90 minutes in Spain’s 1-0 win at Macedonia. Mata also played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday night, scoring the dubious winning goal.
Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo – Argentina (05/09 (n) v Bolivia in Houston and 09/09 (n) v Mexico in Dallas) – Romero played the full 90 minutes in Argentina’s 7-0 win against Bolivia, but didn’t feature against Mexico. Rojo was limited to just 71 minutes against Mexico in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Matteo Darmian – Italy (03/09 (h) v Malta in Firenze and 06/09 (h) v Bulgaria in Palermo) – 180 minutes
Antonio Valencia – Ecuador (08/09 (h) v Honduras in Quito) – 90 minutes
Daley Blind and Memphis Depay – Holland (03/09 (h) v Iceland in Amsterdam and 06/09 (a) v Turkey in Selçuklu) – Blind started both matches against Iceland and Turkey, playing 164 minutes, while Depay played all 180 minutes.
Luke Shaw, Chris Smalling, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney – England (05/09 (a) v San Marino in Serravalle and 08/09 (h) v Switzerland in London) – Shaw continued his impressive start to the season by grabbing two assists as he played in all 180 minutes of England’s wins against San Marino and Switzerland. Smalling played the full 90 minutes against Switzerland, but Carrick was sent home after picking up a calf injury in training. Early reports suggest he could still be fit to face Liverpool on Saturday. Rooney played 148 minutes across the two matches, scoring a penalty in each, and became England’s all time record goalscorer following his goal against Switzerland.
Morgan Schneiderlin and Anthony Martial – (04/09 (a) v Portugal in Lisbon and 07/09 (h) v Serbia in Bordeaux) – Schneiderlin played a half against Portugal and the full 90 minutes against Serbia, while Martial came on as a substitute in both matches, playing 30 minutes in total.
Marouane Fellaini – Belgium (03/09 (h) v Bosnia-Herzegovina in Brussels and 06/09 (a) v Cyprus in Nicosia) – Started both matches against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Cyprus, playing 154 minutes in total, and scored against Bosnia.
Paddy McNair – Northern Ireland (04/09 (a) v Faroe Islands in Tórshavn and 07/09 (h) v Hungary in Belfast – 12 minutes)
Bastian Schweinsteiger – Germany (04/09 (h) v Poland in Frankfurt and 07/09 (a) v Scotland in Glasgow) – 180 minutes
James Wilson – England U21s (03/09 (h) v USA in Preston and 07/09 (a) v Norway in Drammen) – Played 29 minutes as a substitute for England U21s against USA, and found the back of the net.
