I recall a scene in the movie Goal.
The manager kicked a ball and asked the player to chase after it
a few times.
Then the manager told the player that no matter how good you
are, you can never be faster than the ball being passed or kicked
around.
Something to that effect. 
oh yes. u know why. its common sense that, passing the ball
around is not as exhausting as chasing the ball, thats why.
football is a simple game really, passing. I dunno why the
english cant pass as well as the europeans, as after all, they are
professionals, playing the game all the time.