January 12th 2024.
The highly anticipated Premier League winter break has finally returned, much to the delight of fans. As the festive season comes to an end, avid followers of the league would have noticed a reduction in the number of fixtures this week. This is because the FA Cup third round was completed over the weekend, allowing Premier League clubs to take a well-deserved break and ease concerns about an overcrowded schedule.
The winter break was initially introduced in the 2019/20 season, but due to various circumstances, it has not been seen since. Shortly after its debut, the world was hit by the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, the football season was put on hold and subsequently delayed, causing the cancellation of the next season's winter break in order to make up for lost time.
Furthermore, the last two seasons were also unable to accommodate a winter break due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup being held in Qatar during the northern hemisphere's winter for the first time. This meant that the seasons had to be shortened, leaving no room for a break. However, this season marks the long-awaited return of the winter break, allowing teams to take a breather for the next two weekends.
What's even more significant is that this break will give every top-flight team a minimum of ten days without a league game. However, some teams may have their plans affected if they are required to play an FA Cup third-round replay. This could result in a shortened break for these teams, as they need to play their replays before the fourth round.
Despite the reduced number of fixtures, this weekend still promises some exciting matches. Manchester City will be taking on Newcastle, while Manchester United, led by struggling manager Erik ten Hag, will face Tottenham. In other news, it seems that West Ham is confident about the recovery of Jarrod Bowen's injury ahead of their FA Cup replay against Bristol City. On the transfer front, it is reported that Arsenal is considering a £50 million target as an alternative to Ivan Toney, while Manchester United is offering a winger in exchange for a £69 million star who has been mentored by Christian Eriksen. Additionally, a young Manchester United player is contemplating leaving the club after being snubbed by ten Hag for first-team opportunities. Lastly, Brighton has made a decision about Evan Ferguson, while Chelsea is plotting a transfer move for the talented youngster. Exciting times ahead for the Premier League!
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