Express & Star

Tony Pulis: International schedule is too much

Published
Last updated

Tony Pulis has asked football's governing bodies to change the international schedule for his players on the back of Salomon Rondon's headed winner at the weekend.

more

Rondon has been away with the Venezuelan national team in both September and October and is due to go away in November as well.

"It's got to be looked at because it's got to a stage where they're away so long now," said Pulis.

"My argument is that if international teams want these players then they should pay their wages for those weeks.

"And if they come back injured then they should pay compensation.

"It's been banded around that if you want international games then play them at the end of the season.

"Then see if the players want to go so readily at the end of the season when they're going to miss their families."

[comments_cta header="What do you think?" text="Do you agree with Tony Pulis?" button="Log in and leave your thoughts below"]

Rondon's goal on Saturday was only his second for Albion since moving to the Baggies from Zenit St Petersburg in the summer for £12 million.

The Venezuelan scored 20 goals in 37 games for the Russian team, and Pulis reckons the reason the 26-year-old striker has struggled to find his scoring boots in England is because he's been away in South America so frequently.

"He's a good lad, he's really mixed in with the players really well," said Pulis. "I wish he was scoring the fifth or sixth in a game.

"I think for him just scoring goals is important.

"I think there's still more to come."

Saturday's victory moved Albion up into the top half but the Welshman isn't getting carried away.

"This Premier League is relentless so you've got to keep your feet on the ground," he said.

Match analysis inside today's Final Whistle