Has Rafa got a point about internationals?

Or is it just bitter griping? I don't know - it does sometimes come across a bit Fergie-esque (sorry, gaffer) as the usual arguments of "you knew they were international players with these schedules when you signed them" and "every other top team has the same problem" can be made.

But the man clearly has a reason to be upset as once again, we ship off Torres nicely packaged in bubblewrap, and he's returned to us in a cardbox box with the sides kicked in, and a faint rattle heard when you pick it up.

The timing is unfortunate (though I'm not sure there ever is a good time) as obviously we've been on a flyer. As such, Rafa laid into del Bosque about why Torres needed to play both games in this past round, making the point that bigger players play too many games as is and do they really need to be in the squad when a powerhouse like the European Champions face off against minnows? (The funny part here being which of Estonia or Belgium - the team against whom FT picked up the injury - Rafa is calling a small team. Probably both!)

There's no question that the issue of conforming the international calendar *has* to happen sooner rather than later. Just off the top of my head, why not leave April and May open strictly for qualifiers? If you're talking 48 teams for Europe, what about twelve groups of four, matches to consist of the usual home and away ties (3 each) - group winners automatically go through. A short, sweet, condensed format would heighten interest as well as keep teams from trying to grind out draws to eke their way into qualification.

Anyway, it's worth a thought. Sure players would be tired after the end of a long season but everyone would be in the same boat. But something's gotta give - we shouldn't have to keep slapping duct tape on our players because of international duty, especially at this point in the season.