Stuart Dallas has hit out at the scheduling of the coming week’s international matches and the impact of them upon Leeds United’s Premier League preparations.
Eight of Marcelo Bielsa’s senior squad are currently away with their countries and missing out on valuable training time ahead of their Anfield visit to champions Liverpool in 11 days.
Many of that octet will not surface at Thorp Arch for training with Bielsa until four or three days before the Premier League curtain-raiser.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Sportsound last week, Dallas said he felt this round of internationals should not be played.
“I just can't help but feel these games shouldn't be played. I don't know if that's controversial or not, but I think it's disrupting everything.”
He added: "It's ridiculous [that the 2020-21 Premier League season is starting less than a week after the international break].
"The Champions League has just finished last week and now some of those players have to go straight into their international teams.
"Especially with what's going on throughout the world with travel restrictions and all the rules with quarantine.”
Dallas is with Northern Ireland, who play in Romania on Friday night before hosting Norway in Belfast on September 7, and is unlikely to suffer as much as some of his United team-mates.
Ezgjan Alioski, away with North Macedonia, was the example Dallas flagged on the radio. The 28-year-old must play in Georgia on the evening of September 8, more than 2,200 miles from West Yorkshire.
"For the English leagues, it's coming at the most ridiculous time,” said Dallas. “We have players who might not return until Wednesday or Thursday, that's two days before Liverpool.
“It's madness that they have to do this. I’m saying that about a young lad Alioski, who plays with us. He’s from Macedonia. He’s got a round-the-world trip to get back.
“They’re away to Georgia or somewhere and he’s got three transfers to get back to Leeds on the Wednesday or Thursday, two days before Liverpool.
“For me, there’s been no thought process behind it. Well, there’s maybe been a thought process, but you can’t keep everyone happy.
“It’s the Nations League, it’s not as if it’s the play-off.”
