Luxury holidays and boozy trips – international break is win-win for Premier League players

Gabby Agbonlahor insists the international break is often win-win situation for professional footballers.

After just four match days of Premier League action, the first of three-consecutive months of interruption at club level is upon us.

Those called up for international duty often miss out on a much-changed club scheduleAFP

Agbonlahor revealed how ex-teammates spent their time during the international break

The international break has not always filled fans with the same enthusiasm as a regular weekend of club football but for players not selected for their countries, the two-week interval is a welcome distraction.

Whilst many players at the top level jet off across the globe to represent their respective countries, former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor admits those that are not selected benefit from a revised schedule and increased free time.

“Training would be normal, you’d do your normal sessions and you’d get a few more younger lads come up and train with the first team and then with most managers you’d have Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday off,” Agbohlahor told talkSPORT.

“When asked whether the players looked forward to the extra days off, he said: “I think players used to go and enjoy it and come back on the Monday and there were few players worse for wear.

“But it’s normal when you get that time off. Some players would come to London and have a three-day bender. It was different for each player but a chance to recharge the batteries.

“It’s a win-win sometimes. If you get called up for your country, you’re buzzing. If you don’t then you still have a few days off, refresh, go somewhere abroad with your girlfriend or your friends or your kids.

“For me it was a chance to go abroad, go somewhere different. Somewhere is Europe, America or Dubai.”

Whilst some might think the chance of an impromptu few days at the beach is the best way for a player to spend their down time, Agbohlahor was quick to point out that it wasn’t all sunshine and cocktails.

@ga11officialGabby is a regular visitor to Dubai and the Caribbean[/caption]

@jackgrealishBen Chilwell and Jack Grealish continued their bromance during a sunny break[/caption]

@marcusrashfordMarcus Rashford jetted off to New York during March’s international break[/caption]

“What manager’s started doing towards the end of my career was GPS and heart rate monitoring. You’d have a set of runs each day you were away so you’d still get your training whilst you were abroad.”

No rest for the wicked – even on an international break!