Middlesbrough's new international status can be both a blessing and a curse for Michael Carrick
Anfernee Dijksteel is one Middlesbrough player more than most who has benefitted from events in early season.
The Suriname international defender has not been a permanent member of Michael Carrick’s side over the past two seasons. However, in what could yet be the final year of his Boro contract, he has already hauled himself back up the pecking order.
His first goal for the club, in the Carabao Cup tie at Leeds, set the scene and since then he has continued to make an impact. Dijksteel is getting up and down the flanks just as Carrick likes. He is showing a great aptitude to perform for both himself and the team.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick's internationals point shows huge change in Middlesbrough squad since arrival
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There is still no guarantee that Dijksteel will enjoy regular starting places when everybody is fit, but at least he’s fully back in the melting pot. It’s great to see, just as many would say that it’s wonderful that Dijksteel is one of eight Boro players currently away on international duty.
If everybody in the Boro dressing room was fully fit then the number of international call-ups could be as many as 13. This certainly brings credit to both the Boro squad and the players themselves. But judging by a major recent report maybe we should not be totally delighted.
The Player Workload Monitoring report which has been issued by the world players’ union Fifpro has highlighted the burden placed on international stars in the current hectic climate. Fifpro believes that international players are involved in too much football during the year which affects their overall contribution at all levels.
Apparently the union receives a massive difference in the feedback from internationals and those who have had the opportunity to rest and take holidays. In general, those players who rested during the summer came back to their clubs pumped up and ready to go while according to Fifpro internationals 'look shattered even before the season starts'.
Let’s hope that Dijksteel and his Boro team-mates all come back in one piece and looking forwards to lining up against Preston North End on Saturday. There are some players who get a personal boost from representing their country and have an extra zip in their steps on their return.
Yet it’s worth noting that Dijksteel and Isaiah Jones have been all the way to South America where they played for Suriname and Guyana respectively. Seny Dieng and Emmanuel Latte Lath have jetted off to Africa to play for Senegal and Ivory Coast, while Aidan Morris has gone to the United States.
In this modern era, transport facilities are usually quick and convenient. But this does not take away the possibility of fatigue kicking in when our lads return to Teesside. We have to hope this doesn’t happen. No doubt Carrick and his coaches will monitor every player very carefully when looking at the possible line-up against Preston.
Yet it’s worth noting that even the mighty Juninho was occasionally left out of the Boro starting line-up on his return from international duty away from Brazil. The one thing we can guarantee is that Carrick will ensure that all his players who take the field against Preston are fit and feeling in a positive frame of mind.
Six of the men who started the superb win at Cardiff have been away on international duty. Hopefully they will all be ok to keep their places. In addition, Carrick will hope to get Latte Lathe back into his starting line-up as soon as possible because the Ivorian – and his potential goals haul – could hold the key to Boro’s prospects this term.
Boro need to start winning at the Riverside on a regular basis if they are to be a top six side, so beating Preston is vitally important.