As the festive season approaches, Premier League dressing rooms are reportedly buzzing with discussions about an unconventional holiday strategy – deliberately earning yellow cards to avoid Christmas fixtures.
Former Watford captain Troy Deeney has revealed that 23 top-flight players enter this weekend's matches just one booking away from suspension, sparking conversations about manufactured time off. While stopping short of accusing individuals of intentional fouls, the veteran striker confirmed these scenarios are openly joked about among squads.
The Christmas Card Conundrum
"You'd get players laughing about taking the holidays off as December began," Deeney explained. "But by the final pre-Christmas match, some would seriously consider it – why not spend Christmas with family instead of playing?"
The ex-forward described how certain teammates would suddenly pick up late-game cautions for dissent, revealing their true intentions. While Deeney personally cherished festive fixtures, he acknowledged not all players share his enthusiasm.
New York or Bust: A Cautionary Tale
One audacious attempt stands out in Deeney's memory: "A senior Watford player had booked Christmas in New York. Instead of a tactical yellow, he earned a straight red and three-game ban."
The player allegedly convinced management he needed to "clear his head" before jetting off on December 23rd and returning four days later. "These old-school tricks wouldn't fly today," Deeney noted, adding the player paid the ultimate price – being released that summer after struggling to regain his place.
Team Ethic vs Personal Priorities
While such stories amuse teammates, Deeney emphasized most professionals prioritize matchday readiness: "As captain, I had no patience for players more concerned with ticket requests than winning Boxing Day games."
The revelation comes as clubs prepare for the hectic festive schedule, with managers undoubtedly monitoring players nearing suspension thresholds. As Deeney concludes: "The festive period separates those living for football from those just going through the motions."
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