Premier League footballers are globally renowned for their skills displayed during the multiple matches they play over an entire season. Whether these players are playing only in the United Kingdom in the league, or European competitions, or both, they have to travel across countries to reach their destination. Footballers and managers often express dissatisfaction with their hectic schedules, and it is increasingly typical to see teams play games that are just 2 or 3 days apart.
What are Premier League Teams Mode of Travel? For teams within the UK teams will generally take a luxury coach or chartered flights depending on the distance. If the game is overseas then a private plane will take the team to their match.
This implies that the squad will receive little rest, but it is easy to forget that the team must travel to and from these matches, which may be tiring in itself. Consequently, for professional players, traveling in comfort and at a rapid pace is very necessary. Top-level players’ mode of travel is therefore very different, as they do so in luxury and elegance, using coaches, aircraft, private jets, and top-tier hotel accommodations.
Reasons for travel
Traveling for domestic, European, and international football matches is the most common reason for players to travel. Footballers in the Premier League are fortunate in that the United Kingdom is a very small country. In the United Kingdom, for example, if the trip duration is less than 3 hours, teams are more likely to travel by luxury coach to an away game. Clubs make every effort to ensure that players travel for no more than three hours at a time, since traveling for longer periods may have a detrimental impact on performance owing to stiffness and muscular problems.
The squad may need to stay overnight in a nearby hotel depending on the kick-off time and distance. When the team traveling has a match that has an early afternoon kickoff (mostly because the match has been rescheduled to accommodate a live television slot) the team will travel the day before the match is scheduled to be played. When attending games, you will observe that even the host team travels by bus to their respective venues. Premier League teams believe that arriving in a group is simpler, safer, and better for team chemistry.
Traveling by luxury coach and charter flights
Teams would often charter a plane for trips lasting more than 3 or 4 hours for a domestic match, as well as flying to another country for a EUFA designated match, whether the EUFA Cup or the Champions League matches. To travel with the players and backroom personnel, the club would rent a passenger aircraft and fly everyone in together. While playing in the Premier League, several of the southern teams, notably the London clubs, would often travel by air to northern towns like Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle. These flights take about 1-2 hours and teams normally travel to their destination the day before the match.
The only scenario in which the team would travel on the same day would be if the match had an early evening kickoff. Flying early in the morning for an evening kickoff still allows them to properly prepare for the match by practicing in or near the stadium, holding team meetings, and ensuring that the squad is well-rested match-time.
Travel by private jet – extenuating circumstances
Even though several players have had the opportunity to fly by private jet, this is not a normal procedure for traveling to games. The only time elite players would fly by private jet is when they are representing their respective national teams in international competition. Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker, and Fabinho, all of whom play for Liverpool and represent Brazil at the international level, are excellent examples of this. Two seasons ago, with Liverpool chasing the Premier League title, Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp agreed that all his Brazilian internationals could make use of a private jet when returning from International duty so that he could have his integral players back on Merseyside as soon as possible. He did this for them to be able to recover from their international excursions and attend training sessions in preparation for their next game.
Teams will also often hire a private jet during the transfer window. This would allow Premier League clubs to make arrangements for players that these clubs would like to sign to be able to be flown to the potential new club’s headquarters, as well for the new signing to have their medical examination all within transfer window time constraints and with the minimum of fuss for the club and the player. The transfer window deadline day is when this happens most frequently when the turnaround time from bringing the player to the club and him signing the contract is of the utmost importance.
Footballers – the commodity that keeps on giving
The Premier League is the most-watched league in the world and the players that participate in this league are supreme athletes. They travel a great deal as part of their job and these athlete’s profession is one of the most time-consuming and travel-intensive occupations one can find. During the football season, players must get used to frequent flights, long coach trips, and being away from their families. The ability of players to adjust to travel will have an impact on their performance, and it is almost certain to have an impact on some of the outcomes of matches.
Therefore, clubs’ will ensure that these incredibly well-paid athletes travel to matches in the comfort reserved for business class clients, whether traveling by coach, chartered, or private jet. All Premier League clubs understand that these players are all that separates their club from competing in the elite league, awash with the billions they receive from Sky Sports, and the lower leagues, which is significantly more difficult to navigate. No expense will therefore be spared to ensure that their squad travels in supreme comfort to matches, whether in the UK, Europe, or to international matches.