Bernardo Silva expressed concern over the expansion of the Club World Cup to 32 teams starting in 2025. He believes that the increase in teams will result in a decrease in match quality due to the added workload and already exhausting schedule.
On Tuesday evening, Manchester City will compete against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in Jeddah as they strive to become the world champions of club soccer. They are joining a seven-team competition in the semi-final round after flying overnight following their match against Crystal Palace on Saturday. While their time for recovery is limited, this tournament is just the beginning for them as they have already secured a spot in the 2025 tournament, which will include a summer in the US and up to seven matches.
Silva stated that the players were not consulted, but they are still attempting to fulfill their responsibilities. He acknowledged that with the increasing number of games and the addition of new competitions, it is becoming more challenging for players due to the lack of rest and increased risk of injuries.
I believe that having a large number of games for an extended period of time can ultimately lead to a decrease in the energy and intensity of the game, especially for those who truly enjoy it. While I have no complaints about the expanded Club World Cup being a top competition, the current schedule and amount of games can make it difficult to maintain fitness and proper energy levels for optimal performance.
“I must admit, I do experience fatigue at times. We compete every three days without breaks for holidays or vacations. However, this is the sacrifice we make as members of a premier club, constantly battling in various competitions. Ultimately, our goal was always to reach this level.”
Pep Guardiola refrained from expressing disapproval towards the expansion, which was supported by City’s chief executive, Ferran Soriano. However, he did express concern over the lack of recovery time between seasons. He stated, “Fifa made a decision and all the clubs have backed it. As a member of these clubs, I am not against new competitions, but I am against the insufficient time to recuperate every year. This is my main complaint.”
“I am not bothered about playing every three, six, or seven days. However, it is extremely challenging to end the season and then have to restart in three weeks for pre-season in Asia or the United States to maintain financial stability. This is difficult for me personally, but even more so for the players. I believe this needs to be changed.”
Kevin De Bruyne, who has been absent from City’s games since August 11th, participated in training on Monday and is expected to play sometime this week. Erling Haaland, who is recovering from a foot injury, traveled to Jeddah but has not yet trained and it is unlikely he will be involved in either of City’s upcoming games.
The City team, who have struggled in their recent domestic matches with only one win in six games, were penalized £120,000 by the Football Association on Monday. This came after their players crowded around referee Simon Hooper at the end of their 3-3 match against Spurs on 3 December.
Source: theguardian.com
