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Premier League clubs fear for players' mental health after the World Cup with as little as EIGHT DAYS between the final and Boxing Day return... as teams hold talks over how best to manage their star men post-Qatar

Picture the scene. Gabriel Jesus is named by Arsenal for their Boxing Day meeting with West Ham, eight days after missing a crucial chance in the last minute of the World Cup final.

Earlier that day, Cristian Romero, a newly crowned world champion with Argentina, lined up for Tottenham in another London derby at Brentford.

In such circumstances, it is unrealistic to expect either player to deliver his best in vital Premier League fixtures. Much has been said about the physical demands on players this season as they prepare for a unique tournament, but rather less about the psychological effects that may kick in when the club season resumes.