Pep Guardiola expresses fears over expansion of Club World Cup

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Pep Guardiola hits out at the expansion of the Club World Cup claiming ‘things should change’ – as the Man City boss fears the new scheduling crisis will give players no time to rest

  • Man City are in action against Urawa Reds in the Club World Cup on Tuesday 
  • The tounament is set to be expanded to a 32-team competition in 2025  
  • IAN LADYMAN: I’d rather watch a match at my local school than watch Man City in the Club World Cup – It’s All Kicking Off

Pep Guardiola claimed that elite clubs are like turkeys voting for Christmas as FIFA announced the expansion of the Club World Cup.

Manchester City are in Jeddah for Tuesday’s semi-final against Urawa Red Diamonds and are set for the new 32-team competition in the United States in 2025.

Guardiola has been outspoken about the scheduling crisis at the top level and fears that a month-long tournament at the end of next season leaves players with no time to rest.

‘FIFA took a decision but all the clubs supported it. I’m part of the club. They decided,’ Guardiola said.

‘What can I do? I guess we’ll fly to the States with the families and play the World Cup there as best as possible. They decided to create a new competition. OK. Adjust, adapt and rely on the people.

Pep Guardiola has hit out at the plans to expand the FIFA Club World Cup expressing fears over the time his players will be allowed to recover

Manchester City shared a photograph of their stars after they touched down in Saudi Arabia for their game against Urawa Reds on Tuesday

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‘I’m not against the new competitions, I’m against the lack of recovery from year to year. It doesn’t matter to play every three days.

‘But with the pre-season, going to Asia and the States for the finances, it is really tough for the players. Things should change.’

Bernardo Silva refused to criticise the new tournament but admitted that a continuation of hectic scheduling will ultimately undermine the product.

City have also been pictured in training on Monday ahead of their game tomorrow, with Kevin De Bruyne also seen on the training field

Bernardo Silva refused to criticise the new tournament but warned that the fatigue caused by the hectic scheduling could undermine the product 

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‘We’re not consulted,’ Silva said. ‘We try to do our job. The amount of games we have it’s a bit crazy because of the rest we get and risk of injury goes up a lot.

‘We cannot complain because we earn a lot of money but for the people who love the game, if we have this many games for so long, the games will lose the energy and intensity.’

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