Former FA and Arsenal F.C. vice-chairman David Dein has called on the Barclays Premier League to implement a winter break halfway through its season. Dein also suggested at the Soccerex Global Convention this week that the Premier League should enforce the break as soon as possible. Debate of a potential winter break from league matches comes with news that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will most likely be held in the winter, because you know, it’s usually pretty hot in Qatar during the summer (the average high in the middle eastern country during July is 106 degrees Fahrenheit).

In his plea on Tuesday, Dein stated, “I’m a great advocate for a winter break. I’d love to see it. Other countries have a winter break, players need a break and for the fans, as well, it wouldn’t do any harm. People are nervous of change but we’ve got to do it.”

The 71-year-old London native also gave his opinions on why the Premier League should implement a break now and not wait eight years until the 2022 World Cup, “It can’t wait for the World Cup in Qatar. The idea has momentum. If it were voted by the Premier League clubs I think it would go through on the nod today.”

Former England international Peter Reid also voiced his support over the idea saying, “I saw the way Costa Rica, the United States and Germany for example, played with real energy at the World Cup while England had no energy and I’ve changed my mind (about wanting a winter break). Today, with the pace of the game being as it is, I definitely think we should have a winter break.”

Both Dein and Reid express valid points on carrying out a winter break during the season in England. Between the regular Premier League matches, the two cup tournaments (Capital One Cup and FA Cup), European matches (Champions League and Europa League), and international duties certain players must adhere to, some players can feature in over 60 matches per season.

In most seasons, the busiest time of the campaign for Premier League teams is between Christmas and the beginning of January. This particular season most Premier League teams will be forced to play four matches between December 26th and January 3rd, a space of just nine days. If a winter break were to go in effect, the Premier League could easily start one week earlier in August, have a two week break from the December 20/21 fixtures to the January 3/4 FA Cup third round fixtures, and then finish a week later in May.

There would essentially only be one league match to squeeze in throughout the season.
The break would not only most likely cut down on late-season fatigue and injuries, but Premier League players would presumably be more fit heading into Euros or World Cup competitions during the summer months. Three out of the four major American sports leagues (MLB, NBA, and NHL) all have some sort of break roughly halfway through their seasons, and most players in these leagues will tell you that the midseason break is much needed for their health.