Newcastle United’s 4-1 defeat at Aston Villa last April ultimately did not scupper their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
However, although they eventually clinched fifth place on goal difference ahead of Villa, the outcome was a little too close for comfort.
Assistant manager Jason Tindall blamed fatigue after the defeat at Villa Park, claiming that three games in six days had caught up with the players.
We’ll no doubt hear a similar story trotted out by several clubs as they seek to justify a bad result this season. When it happens, don’t pay any attention.
Premier League clubs have once again dragged their players across the world ahead of the 2025/26 season, racking up around 175,000 air miles between them.
Newcastle are one of the worst culprits, travelling a whopping 16,857 miles to play friendlies in Scotland, Singapore and South Korea.
However, they are amateurs in the travel stakes when compared to Manchester United. They will clock up 24,753 miles this summer.
Newcastle and Man United are two of eight Premier League clubs who will travel more than 10,000 miles before the new season gets underway.
In each case, the trips are an opportunity for the clubs to enhance their global profile. To put it another way, they are money-making exercises.
If Premier League clubs want to chase new revenue streams, that’s their prerogative.
But don’t insult everyone’s intelligence by claiming players are tired later in the season. Greed generally comes with a price attached, and that is one of them.
Top football stories
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Football Today features
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- Premier League transfer analysis: Net spend, value for money & strategic spending explained
What to watch
There are a ton of friendlies scheduled today and none of them take our eye. Thankfully, the World Matchplay Darts starts in Blackpool tomorrow.
