The World Cup being in the middle of the season brings complications. With several matchdays to catch up on once it's over, Premier League clubs are understandably worried about potential fixture congestion down the line.
It's going to be extremely difficult for coaches to manage. Unsurprisingly, bosses of any club that qualifies for the fourth round of the Carabao Cup aren't going to like the fact that their next tie will take place in between the World Cup final in Qatar and the Premier League's resumption on Boxing Day.
Third round games will be played before players travel to Qatar, on either the 8th or 9th November. Arsenal host Brighton, Spurs travel to Nottingham Forest whilst the biggest tie of the round sees Chelsea play Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
READ MORE: Lionel Messi and six stars Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs can discuss free transfers with in January
Although there's no guarantee that all three London-based teams will qualify, if they do, they'll need to play the next game on the week commencing December 19. The World Cup final is on Sunday, December 18, so depending on who makes the final of the grand competition, those clubs (as well as any other who make the fourth round) could be without several key stars for their respective fourth round Carabao Cup encounters - if they do indeed qualify.
It's definitely a headache for the likes of Mikel Arteta, Antonio Conte and Graham Potter, but if they want to win the Carabao Cup, it's an issue they'll have to overcome.
For now though, coaches will be focused on getting as many wins as they can before players leave on November 13.
READ NEXT:
Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly and Fofana: Chelsea injury news and return dates ahead of Zagreb
Thomas Tuchel breaks silence on abrupt Chelsea exit as Todd Boehly given brutally honest verdict
Arsenal have four immediate Bukayo Saka replacements amid injury scare after £82m transfer swoop
Arsenal have found their Raphinha at cut price as Barcelona suffer after big transfer risk
Tottenham can repeat Bentancur and Kulusevski transfer trick after Antonio Conte sends 'message'
