Man City to pull U-turn after near-£100m development? – ‘It’s a power grab’
Man City and Chelsea will be the English representatives at this summer’s Club World Cup held in the United States.
The competition has had a revamp, with 32 participating clubs fighting it out for a prize fund of £760million.
Fifa confirmed last week that the competition’s winners will get up to £97million in prize money – with more cash spread out in solidarity payments across the world.
Man City will face Wydad AC, Al Ain and Juventus in the group stage – while Chelsea will play Flamengo, Esperance de Tunis and another CONCACAF side.
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 – has insisted there is “certainly no excitement” for the tournament despite the money-spinning figures involved.
‘Man City and Chelsea still won’t take Club World Cup seriously’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has insisted he still doesn’t believe City or Chelsea will take the competition seriously.
Fifa have set regulations to ensure clubs bring their best sides and the Premier League will open a special transfer window before the kick-off to allow business to be done.
| Chelsea (ENG) | Bayern Munich (GER) | Porto (POR) | Juventus (ITA) |
| Man City (ENG) | Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) | Benfica (POR) | Atletico Madrid (ESP) |
| Real Madrid (ESP) | Inter Milan (ITA) | Borussia Dortmund (GER) | Red Bull Salzburg (AUT) |
Wyness claimed the two English sides may not even have to reach top gear to win the new-look tournament.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It’s a huge number and it’s a big amount of money for what will be very little effort, compared to the Champions League.
“You’re making more money in this competition than you are in a long Champions League campaign which lasts most of the season, against tough opposition.
“In theory, you’ll have three or four tough games to get the reward.
“I still don’t think the clubs will take it that seriously. They may not have to in order to win it.
“But that prize fund certainly will grab the attention. There will be attention on it, but we’ll see how it goes – there’s certainly no excitement for this tournament.
“It’s been propped up to get it going. It’s a power grab from Fifa.”
Man City could swoop for AC Milan star
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on Sunday (30 March) that Tijjani Reijnders will only sign for Man City this summer if they can free up space in their squad and shell out a £50million transfer fee.
Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva could join De Bruyne in heading for the exit door with Guardiola’s side needing to free up space in their squad.
AC Milan star Reijnders is seen as a player who would fit seamlessly into City’s midfield and provide the energy and creativity they’ve lacked this season.
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