Is this a career ending situation?

[Thankyou4calling]

A player (hypothetical) he’s 30.

Top level

He’s not going to play competitive football for realistically 6 months.

Of course he can keep fit but match fit takes matches.

Will there be players who have to accept they’ll never regain what they had?

[Terzo123]

At 30?

For a top level player, no chance.

They still have another 4 or 5 years earning good cash ahead of them.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

None of the players will be match fit, so no one player should stick out like a non match fit player returning after a long time out usually does. Unless they haven't kept themselves fit during their time off, and these days, I'm sure they all will. Everyone's standard will be lower when they return, gradually returning to full playing capacity.

[Thankyou4calling]

That’s a good point Twig

A rising tide lifts all boats

I’m thinking of some ( no one in particular) who was in the twilight, would’ve got another season and now for obvious reasons falls that % short.

For some playing IS their training.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Thankyou4calling said:

T.

For some playing IS their training.

That's pretty rare. I recall that was the case for Paul McGrath, because of the state of his knees (and liver), he didn't train for the last couple of years, just played. But even he, if he was a player now, as he can't play, would be out running or doing other stuff to stay fit.

The players that will suffer are the undisciplined ones, the ones who return after the summer a stone overweight. The current equivalents of Neil Ruddock. But the clubs will know the players at risk, and no doubt will be on top of them to keep them on track.

Players like Luke Shaw, Eden Hazard, the short and stocky player, will need to take extra care.

[Ruskie]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Thankyou4calling said:

T.

For some playing IS their training.

That's pretty rare. I recall that was the case for Paul McGrath, because of the state of his knees (and liver), he didn't train for the last couple of years, just played. But even he, if he was a player now, as he can't play, would be out running or doing other stuff to stay fit.

The players that will suffer are the undisciplined ones, the ones who return after the summer a stone overweight. The current equivalents of Neil Ruddock. But the clubs will know the players at risk, and no doubt will be on top of them to keep them on track.

Players like Luke Shaw, Eden Hazard, the short and stocky player, will need to take extra care.

I think by and large those days are over. The medical care now is so good. I think there will be a bit of managing of injuries in the short term to get to the end of a season, for example a hernia where the limit for more damage is controlled, but players missing 4 days training to get a match in will be a thing of the past.

Last high profile one I can think of was Ledley King.

[IanJ9375]

Thankyou4calling said:

A player (hypothetical) he’s 30.

Top level

He’s not going to play competitive football for realistically 6 months.

Of course he can keep fit but match fit takes matches.

Will there be players who have to accept they’ll never regain what they had?

I give you the example of James Milner 34 - every pre-season he rocks up the fittest in the squad. I'd put money he would do that after 6 months off as well.
Regardless of age all the players will be lacking "match fitness" - if anything it could make for for entertaining open game!