@s3rj1k I don't think this is really possible, especially if the goal is to save disk space. A large part of the package is the libraries which are used by both Workstation and Player, and the binary itself is the same:
# LANG=C ll /usr/lib/vmware/bin/{vmware,vmplayer}
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 29 Mar 19 10:19 /usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmplayer -> /usr/lib/vmware/bin/appLoader
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 29 Mar 19 10:19 /usr/lib/vmware/bin/vmware -> /usr/lib/vmware/bin/appLoader
Pinned Comments
jihem commented on 2020-02-10 17:29 (UTC) (edited on 2021-06-19 13:19 (UTC) by jihem)
After the first installation, please:
1) install the appropriate headers package(s) for your installed kernel(s): linux-headers for default kernel, linux-lts-headers for LTS kernel...
2) reboot or load vmw_vmci and vmmon kernel modules (modprobe -a vmw_vmci vmmon)
3) Enable the services you need (using .service units to activate them during boot or .path units to activate them when a VM is started) :
vmware-networks: to have network access inside VMs
vmware-usbarbitrator: to connect USB devices inside VMs