5 players who could underperform this season due to fatigue

 Football is an incredibly grueling sport that requires its willing participants to run for miles on end often without a break in search of glory. Despite being a hugely entertaining sport, many times the game fails to be a spectacle, though, regardless of the nature of the game, a full 90 minutes takes a toll on the players’ body and mind.Regardless, the draw of the game is such that players can’t stay away from the pitch, to the extent that they want to spend every minute they are fit on the pitch. The price to pay often comes in the form of injury or reduced efficiency during games. It’s a curse that has plagued individuals who have been a part of football for years but it tends to affect some teams more than others. More specifically some players. We’ve seen it happen to many players before and managers are more wary of it now, often resting their best young talent to prevent burnout. It is a real possibility that something might literally snap in their bodies to relegate them to the bench. Another possibility is the dip in their usual levels due to the mental fatigue they could suffer having played an enormous amount of football for prolonged stretches of time. 

#1 Arturo Vidal

To many, he is the best box-to-box midfielder in the world at the moment and it is hard to argue otherwise. The power which he exudes on the pitch is an example for aspiring footballers to follow.

His all-action hustling style of play makes him one of the most difficult players to deal with and, at the same time, go past. This summer, the Chilean has returned to the Bundesliga as he will now represent the Bavarians for some time at least.

However, it might not be as rosy as many expect. Sure, he is going back to play on a familiar field. Sure, he is a world-class midfielder and there is perhaps none like him. But, when niggling knee problems marry a summer without rest due a victorious Copa America campaign, there could be complications.

For the last 3 seasons, the former Bayer Leverkusen man hasn’t played less than 45 games each season and with this and the last couple of summers being spent with Chile for international tournaments, it could take a toll on him.

There is no doubt that Vidal will perform well for Bayern Munich. However, the jury will be out on whether he can actually replicate his Juventus best—that makes him the best box-to-box midfielder—for the German club. One could only hope that fatigue doesn’t catch up with him and deprive the world of some graceful displays of ruthlessness.