Much has been made about the number of Manchester City players taking part at the World Cup, but it might not actually be a bad thing.
16 City players jetted off to Qatar last month, with 11 of them going on to compete in the quarter-finals. That's the joint-most of any Premier League club, and something that some supporters have been understandably concerned about.
City currently trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by five points after 14 games, so clearly have some catching up to do. Only six Arsenal players entered the quarter-final stages though, meaning more members of their first-team squad will have managed to get a decent rest before the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day.
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Irrespective of which City representatives make it through to the World Cup semi-finals or final, the fact remains that all will face a quick turnaround after their international duties are complete. However, that might not be the inconvenience it first seems.
While the scheduling of this World Cup is unusual and disruptive to club football, the cramming of fixtures into short periods during the winter months is nothing new in English football. It happens every year.
It seems unlikely that any of City's players will be any more tired or fatigued after the World Cup than they otherwise would have been at this time of year. The issue of fatigue might rear its head in the latter months of the season, but when City go deep in four competitions it does anyway.
In fact, playing regular football right up until the latter stages of the tournament could mean that City's stars return to the club match-sharp and bang in-form, as opposed to those Premier League sides whose players will not have played a competitive match in six weeks.
Yes, tiredness could become an issue further down the line, but at a time in the season where City have been known to wobble in the past, having players return to the fold ready and raring to go could be a benefit that outweighs the potential downside.
There is an emotional element as well. At a time of the season when domestic fixtures pile up and it can be hard to stay motivated for every single game, City's players will return from the World Cup either delighted with their achievements and eager to keep going, or disappointed and keen to prove their doubters wrong.
Whatever happens between now and December 18, the fact that City had so many representatives at the World Cup should be regarded as a good thing.
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