Tottenham and Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld has suggested that the Premier League should consider adopting a winter break, claiming a lack of rest could be to blame for England's dismal Euro 2016 exit.
The majority of European leagues including Spain's La Liga, the German Bundesliga, France's Ligue 1 and the Serie A in Italy have a mid-season hiatus -- varying from a fortnight to a month -- but, by contrast, England's top teams face a gruelling festive schedule of league and cup fixtures.
England crashed out of Euro 2016 on Monday after a humiliating 2-1 defeat to minnows Iceland and the Premier League's lack of a winter break has long been cited as a factor in the national team's failure at major tournaments.
Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad was made up entirely of Premier League players and Spurs' Alderweireld believes fatigue may have been a factor in their failure.
"Who am I, of course, to judge them, but the Premier League must urgently think about a rest period in a European Championship or World Cup year," Alderweireld told a news conference as reported in Marca."We are working every day for a year. When the other leagues take a winter break, we just gear up. That creeps into your clothes and translates into the elimination of England."
Despite boasting a host of Premier League players, including Alderweireld's Tottenham teammates Jan Vertonghen and Mousa Dembele, Belgium comfortably beat Hungary 4-0 in the round of 16 to set up a quarterfinal with Wales, who boast one player who plays outside the U.K. in Gareth Bale.
"Keeping mental freshness is sometimes difficult...but it is easier when you win," he said.
Belgium captain Eden Hazard was missing from Tuesday's training session as the squad prepared for their quarterfinal match against Wales.
Coach Marc Wilmots did not appear overly concerned about the fitness of the playmaker, who was so impressive in Belgium's win on Sunday.
"Eden felt a slight spasm in the quadriceps at halftime against Hungary,'' Wilmots said. "He is now following an individual program ... and will be back again the day after tomorrow. He will be 100 percent, no problem."
Defender Thomas Vermaelen was also absent from the session but he is suspended for Friday's match.