Insider issues ‘massive, massive red flag’ claim after ‘obscene’ Declan Rice reveal at West Ham
Declan Rice will be at risk of picking up an injury if he plays for West Ham while fatigued.
That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.
As quoted by Sky Sports last week (6 October), Rice revealed he has played an “obscene” amount of games since last June and he does not want to get injured ahead of the World Cup.
The 23-year-old has played 12 games this season and only missed West Ham’s Europa Conference League qualifiers through suspension.
“Injury history is a risk factor to consider,” Dinnery told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“Fatigue is another one. That’s a massive, massive red flag.
“There are always exceptions to the rule. For the majority of players, playing too much football and having a high load week on week is a worry and a concern.
“These players are in the red zone. If you are increasing your exposure the likelihood is you’re going to pick up an injury.
“Exceptions to that are the Cristiano Ronaldos, the Lionel Messis, the Mo Salahs, the Heung-min Sons. Players that play a high amount of minutes and travel to the far-flung corners of the world during international breaks yet perform optimally week in, week out.
“Those players are probably freaks in terms of their performance output and what they can maintain consistently.
“For other players, particularly those players who are very dynamic, intense and explosive, those players that rely on the quick bursts of energy fatigue is a huge concern. We know those hamstring muscles are being put under a lot of stress.
“When you’re fatigued the likelihood of picking up an injury is increased significantly.”
In other news, West Ham could sack David Moyes now after a source’s Mauricio Pochettino reveal.