Is one trophy worth throwing away your entire season ahead?
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed concerns about the lack of rest his side will get ahead of the new Premier League season, highlighting how their involvement in the Club World Cup could 鈥渄estroy鈥 them.
City concluded their previous Premier League season on May 25 and began their Club World Cup campaign in Philadelphia just over three weeks later, on June 18.
This Saturday, they will face Al-Hilal in Orlando in the round of 16.
If City reaches the final on July 13, they will have one month to prepare for their new league campaign, starting on August 16.
Guardiola expressed uncertainty about the toll the Club World Cup would take on his squad, advising reporters to inquire about the impact later in the year.
鈥淲e might be a disaster; we could be exhausted. The World Cup may have drained us,鈥 he remarked.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know, but this is unprecedented for us. We will find out.鈥
Echoing Jurgen Klopp鈥檚 Concerns
Guardiola is not the first to voice concerns over player well-being due to the congested football schedule.
Earlier this year, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp criticised FIFA, calling the expanded 32-team event, held every four years during pre-season, football鈥檚 worst idea.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 useless. It doesn鈥檛 help if there is no summer break,鈥 Klopp stated in January, referring to players who participated in the World Cup, European Championship, Copa America, or other international competitions.
Guardiola echoed his former rival鈥檚 concerns, stressing the importance of giving players sufficient rest.
鈥淛urgen, we have had many battles, especially during UEFA meetings or discussions about the Premier League calendar, to improve quality and ensure managers and players get more rest,鈥 Guardiola said.
鈥淪o his comments didn鈥檛 surprise me. I understand his argument and would support it as well.鈥
(with agency inputs)