Subscribe to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter and receive it in your email for no cost.
Join Miguel Delaney’s weekly newsletter for free.
Pep Guardiola is urging for a modification as the demand for games on players continues to rise.
The manager of Manchester City commented on FIFA’s choice to increase the Club World Cup to a 32-team competition starting in 2025.
Guardiola affirms that he does not oppose the new event in essence – and City has already secured a spot – but he believes that some adjustments must be made to reduce the burden on players.
I believe changes are necessary for myself.
At a press conference, the Spanish individual informed journalists that while they are not opposed to the new competitions, they do have concerns about the limited time for recovery between each year.
“I consistently express dissatisfaction with this issue. Personally, the frequency of playing every three days, six days, or seven days does not bother me. It is acceptable.”
“It is incredibly challenging to complete a season and then, in just three weeks, restart and travel to Asia or the United States in order to maintain financial stability. This is not only difficult for us, but especially for the players. Personally, I believe changes need to be made in this regard.”
“How does one adapt to the change of going to the States for another competition after finishing the season? This poses a challenge.”
Guardiola discussed preparations for the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, where his team Manchester City, who won the Champions League, are currently located.
On Tuesday in Jeddah, they will compete against the Asian champions, Urawa Red Diamonds, from Japan.
Guardiola expressed his pleasure and honor to be present at this event.
This is Man City’s first time here, demonstrating the difficulty of the situation. We won’t assume anything and instead see it as a privilege.
“We are determined to win this trophy, as it is one that we have yet to obtain. It would symbolize the completion of our goal to win all possible trophies. This is the final piece of the puzzle.”
Bernardo Silva, a midfielder, acknowledged that the demands placed on players at the highest level can be challenging, but he refrained from voicing any complaints.
The Portuguese individuals stated that they were not consulted, but they are committed to fulfilling their duties and representing their clubs to the best of their abilities. They also mentioned the importance of acknowledging those who pay their salaries and the fans who show their support.
The current number of games we have, especially with the addition of new competitions, is quite overwhelming. This can lead to players not getting enough rest and an increased risk of injury.
In my view, although we may be earning a substantial amount of money, we cannot overlook the potential consequences of having too many games over an extended period of time. It can lead to a decrease in the excitement and intensity of the games, which may disappoint those who truly enjoy and are entertained by them.
It appears that City will once again be without the services of striker Erling Haaland, who has been sidelined for the past three games due to a foot injury. While Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku are present with the team and nearing their return to play, it is unlikely that they will participate in the upcoming match.
Source: independent.co.uk
