Been leading an international work group focused on predicting what the return to football will entail for the tactical development of the game. Some interesting theories being discussed.

This crisis will affect players’ fitness massively. Poor diet/exercise regimes caused by stress & lack of discipline will affect players’ conditioning in the short, medium and possibly long term.

Hormonal imbalance can set players back years.

I expect we’ll see the “Mario Gotze” syndrome hit many players hard.

What does this mean for tactics & player development?

I reckon we’ll see the return of luxury creative players of the Riquelme, Ozil, Ronaldinho ilk. Slower game will allow creators to flourish.

The COVID-19 lockdown has shown that the result is an illusion. It is the beauty of the experience that matters.

In recognizing the finite nature of our existence, supporters will want aesthetic attacking football (5-4 instead of 1-0). “YOLO football”