Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has questioned why the Premier League will begin its season earlier than the rest of Europe in a World Cup year.
Spurs had nine players involved in the semi-finals of this summer's tournament in Russia - more than any other club - and they are only due to return to training less than a week before Tottenham get their season underway against Newcastle United.
Pochettino acknowledged that a number of teams would suffer from similar problems, but believes that his squad will still be at a "massive disadvantage" in the opening weeks of the season.
"The players need to rest, the players need a period to recover after more than 10 months competition. I'm not going to complain about them having that. I completely understand that they need 20/21 days to be away from football," he told reporters.
"But of course that is a massive disadvantage because to prepare the season in that way will be tough for them and us. I need to adapt what the Premier League propose. We cannot delay the start of the season. We start earlier than other leagues and countries. There's nothing I can do.
"I think all the clubs are going to be in a similar condition. Some teams with more problems than others. That is the reality and we cannot change it."
Spurs got their pre-season campaign underway with a 4-1 win over Roma in San Diego this morning.
Barney Corkhill
