‘Chelsea controversy casts new cloud over the World Cup – it’s tainted’
Chelsea are currently competing in the revamped Club World Cup in the United States, but the competition has come in for some criticism.
The tournament has suffered from adverse weather conditions, often causing huge delays in the middle of matches.
During the Blues’ last 16 clash against Benfica, the game was suspended for almost two hours due to lightning strikes.
Enzo Maresca’s side ended up conceding an equaliser in the final five minutes after the resumption, but eventually secured a 4-1 win in extra time.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – said that the problems at the Club World Cup are an early warning signal for next year’s World Cup in North America.
“Maresca absolutely right to speak out”, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the constant suspensions were “damaging the integrity of the competition”.
Maresca hit out at the tournament and FIFA president Gianni Infantino in his post-match press conference, labelling the delays a “joke”.
Wyness backed the Blues manager up on the issue, adding that the players’ fitness could suffer.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I agree with Maresca, I totally agree with him. It’s not just one game that we’ve had, it’s been eight, nine or ten games that have been delayed with weather.
“We always think of America as being able to be organised but they’re having problems with this particular issue.
“I think it has tainted the Club World Cup, but in a way it’s been an early warning signal for the World Cup next year.
“What happens if you delay those games for a couple of hours when all the games are supposed to be played at the same time, so there is no uncertainty of outcome? That is a big issue for the World Cup, and it will put a stain and a big black mark against it next season.
“I think Maresca was quite right to point it out and it is damaging the integrity of the competition in terms of the long wait. There’s every chance players are going to start pulling muscles, and getting more injuries, it’s not been good.”
Chelsea to accept bids for two players
Meanwhile, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Chelsea are ready to accept bids for two of their current wingers this summer.
Both Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke could leave the club after the Blues agreed a deal worth £55million with Borussia Dortmund for Jamie Gittens.
Sources say that Sterling doesn’t have a long-term future at Stamford Bridge, despite the fact that Arsenal decided against a permanent signing following his loan spell in North London.
Madueke has done well for Maresca in recent times but Chelsea are willing to sell him now, with clubs at home and abroad monitoring the situation.
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