Jurgen Klopp: No Premier League break hurts England chances
The busy schedule of the Premier League hurts England's chances in major tournaments, says Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
The German praised England's current team as "really talented", but said the lack of a winter break in the country would count against them at Euro 2016.
"You have too many games, that's for sure," Klopp told Football Focus. "You have no break, too many tournaments.
"I think everybody knows that's not the way [to be successful]."
The 48-year-old added: "Everybody thinks [manager] Roy [Hodgson] should lead these boys to the title, they have really good players.
"But they've had no break for one year. All the other teams have. You can be [successful] but it's much harder."
England have not reached the semi-finals at any of their past eight major tournaments, and were knocked out at the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Klopp added that the fixture schedule in domestic football has also contributed to the recent struggles of English clubs in the Champions League, Europe's elite competition.
"There are reasons why the big English clubs in the last few years were not that successful," he said. "You have too many tournaments."
Klopp's Liverpool side face three matches in eight days over Christmas and New Year, starting against surprise Premier League leaders Leicester at Anfield on 26 December.
Mini pre-season for Sturridge
Klopp confirmed that Daniel Sturridge is currently doing "a little pre-season" as he works towards recovering from a hamstring injury.
The England striker is not expected to be fit until mid-January after straining his muscle against Newcastle on 6 December.
"He will do this for seven, eight, nine days and then we will see," said Klopp.
Sol Campbell highlights two things Aston Villa need to avoid relegation
Former Arsenal and Tottenham defender Sol Campbell has told SportLobster that he thinks Aston Villa need a 'very good' run of results over Christmas.
Villa sit bottom of the Premier League table right now, having picked up only seven points from 17 games - and many believe that they are already doomed.
Remi Garde's men desperately need results, and will be hoping that the 1-1 draw at Newcastle United last weekend will kickstart something of a recovery from Villa during the busy Christmas period.
Villa face home a home game against West Ham United on Boxing Day, before back-to-back away games at Norwich City and Sunderland - all potentially winnable games, and matches that Villa may need to win if they are to have any chance of staying up.
Now, former Arsenal, Tottenham and England defender Campbell has given his view on Villa's precarious situation ahead of this frantic run of matches.
Speaking to SportLobster, Campbell has stated that he thinks Aston Villa need two things to kickstart their push for survival - a 'very good' Christmas period, as well as a host of new signings to keep the club in the Premier League.
"Villa need a very good Christmas period to give themselves a chance of Premier League survival," said Campbell. "Not only that, I believe they need to buy players to save the club. They need to bring in some talent who have experience of the sort of challenge they’re faced with."
"That could mean spending more money than they’d like to but it’s vital for the future of the club that they spend now otherwise they may never get another opportunity. New players would give the club a lift, freshen up the squad and could be the difference in relegation survival," he added.
After a dismal summer transfer window, Villa need to get it right in January - and manager Garde may need to bring in some experienced Premier League players to really give his side a boost.
Transfer round-up: Arsenal want to sign Mahrez, Tottenham target Berahino
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Manchester United youngster Ben Pearson is set to join newly-promoted Bournemouth in the January transfer window.
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Tottenham are to reignite their interest in West Brom striker Saido Berahino, whom they pursued in the summer with no success.
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Arsenal have opened talks with Inter Milan over the possibility of signing Marcelo Brozovic in the January transfer window.
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Manchester United midfielder Ben Pearson set to join Bournemouth on permanent deal – report
Manchester United youngster Ben Pearson is reportedly set to join newly-promoted Bournemouth in the January transfer window.
The 20-year-old was tipped for big things at Old Trafford when he was coming through the ranks and the midfielder’s been on loan at Championship side Barnsley.
The Oldham-born ace has found opportunities hard to come by at the Theatre of Dreams, where he is yet to make a senior appearance for the Red Devils.
However, the midfielder’s talents haven’t gone unnoticed and the Sun claim Bournemouth are hopeful of agreeing a £1million deal in January.
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