Barry calls for Prem winter break

Gareth Barry says the Premier League must introduce a winter break to save England from another World Cup disaster.

Barry believes a short rest is “massive” when it comes to international football and was one of the biggest factors as to why England under-performed last summer.

Manchester City midfielder Barry admits England players went into the tournament already worn out from a long, hard season.

Barry said: “In my opinion, in South Africa, to be competing at our peak would have meant we needed fresh players. If a winter break can help, that certainly needs to be looked at, in my personal opinion, that is a massive thing.

“We have to look at things like winter breaks, as that is an issue which keeps coming up. Ask any players who plays on a Sunday, plays midweek and then plays the week after. You don’t feel as good.

“If you are rested in the week, like will happen at Man City due to the size of the squad, you will feel better the week after. It is just natural.

“Me, as a younger player, would say I want to play every game and it doesn’t affect me. It is a tough one, for the fans as well.

“Their opinion will always be we are paid all this money and we are fit enough to play all the games. But, as you get more experienced, you can perform at a higher standard when you are fresher.”

Barry was rushed back from injury for the World Cup, jettisoned into the England team as if his return would be as big for Fabio Capello as David Villa was for Spain.

But it ended in disappointment for England and Barry, his lack of match fitness against Germany horribly exposed and Capello’s faith in an injured player showing how desperate things had become.

There has been plenty of time for Barry to try and look for answers and reasons and one accusation that really sticks in the claw is that the players simply do not care enough.

Barry said: “Of course, we care. It is hard to take defeat, for anyone. When it is you being spoken about, it is hard to deal with. As you say, we need to learn from this. England as a whole, the FA, we will learn from in the future.

“The whole set-up, if there were mistakes or things could be done, it is important we take them on board for the future. I am not saying there were mistakes - I could not affect it.

“As players we were thinking the same as you and did not want to bring negativity into the camp. Maybe in individual heads it may have been there.

“I had not played for six weeks and wanted to get fit. Maybe as individuals, we felt we were not as fresh as we are now. You always want to compete in those events at your peak and raring to go.

“But I am not sitting here making excuses as other countries have the same sort of problems.”