Manuel Akanji, a Manchester City player, has raised concerns about the club`s participation in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, suggesting it could negatively affect the squad`s fitness for the upcoming season.
This follows a season where Pep Guardiola`s team finished third in the Premier League and lost the FA Cup final, marking their first season without a major trophy since 2017.
Their season could potentially be extended until mid-July if they advance through the seven-match tournament to reach the final.
Akanji, the Swiss centre-back, is already in the United States for international duty and will stay there for the FIFA competition.
The 29-year-old stated: “I have been openly critical of this tournament for a while.”
“As players, we really need some time off and a chance for our bodies to recover.”
“My teammates at City aren`t particularly enthusiastic about the tournament either.”
“However, it`s happening now, and there`s nothing we can do to change it.”
“Since we`re participating, naturally we aim to win it.”
“But reaching the final means our recovery time before the next season will be significantly reduced.”
Akanji, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, worries that potential fitness issues might hinder their efforts to win silverware again.
He commented: “Considering the expectations placed upon us, this season wasn`t successful.”
“We secured third place in the Premier League, three points behind Arsenal, and qualified for the Champions League.”
“Yet, it`s our least successful campaign in quite some time.”
“Despite this, Pep Guardiola expressed pride in us for not giving up.”
“The season could have ended in a much worse position.”
Manchester City is scheduled to begin their Club World Cup journey on June 18 against Wydad AC from Morocco.
Their subsequent matches are against Al Ain FC from Saudi Arabia five days later, followed by Italian giants Juventus on June 26.
