Nuno Espirito Santo 'exhausted' just looking at Tottenham schedule

Tottenham coach Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed concerns about the increasing demands on players with more games, joking he feels ‘exhausted’ just looking at the schedule.

It comes as Spurs play Crystal Palace in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off, despite some players not returning from international duty until Thursday. FIFA adviser Arsene Wenger is also controversially advocating for a World Cup every two years instead of every four.

“Each time a decision is made it is more games, more games,” Nuno is quoted as saying by the Evening Standard. “I don’t know if the players will be able to maintain their level of performance with so many games through all these seasons.

“It is my worry and my biggest concern. But I don’t have a clear view on what is best for the game, on World Cups every two years,” he added.

Nuno is already concerned about how his players will cope against Crystal Palace, with minimal rest time after international duty and limited opportunity to train properly before the game.

“We will play at 12.30pm and we had players arriving on Thursday!” he said.

“It is tough. Just looking at the calendar makes us tired and exhausted but that is why we go day-by-day, as it is the best way.

“It is tough on [players] in every aspect. Because you have to travel, be in different environments, require adaptations, a lot of issues, mental and physical.”

Spurs went into the international break top of the Premier League after three consecutive 1-0 wins at the start of the new season. The strong start is even more impressive given the challenging circumstances that surrounded the club amid the Harry Kane transfer saga.

For more from Jamie Spencer, follow him on Twitter and Facebook!