England manager Thomas Tuchel has voiced his opinion that Liverpool and Arsenal will possess a significant advantage in the upcoming Premier League season due to Chelsea and Manchester City's participation in the expanded Club World Cup. Tuchel believes the tournament's demands will lead to fatigue and fixture congestion for the two participating English clubs, handing their rivals a head start.
The revamped Club World Cup, featuring an increased number of teams, is set to take place this summer in the United States. The final is scheduled for July 13, with the Premier League season kicking off just five weeks later. This leaves Chelsea and Manchester City with a significantly shorter pre-season period compared to Liverpool and Arsenal, who are not involved in the tournament.
Tuchel stated, "I think it will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage in the next season to not be there." He acknowledged the appeal of the Club World Cup for the players involved, describing it as "a very nice experience for the players who are there to play this tournament for the first time." However, he remains concerned about the potential consequences of the tournament's demanding schedule.
The England boss is trying to remain relaxed, stating, "I decided not to worry too much because why should I? It is a given and no one knows what will be the outcome of it or the effect. We will deal with the effect when the effect comes." Tuchel recognizes the challenges that await Chelsea and Manchester City as they juggle domestic and international commitments, adding that there are a lot of teams in the Champions League next season and European football, so they will have to see what happens.
Despite his concerns, Tuchel affirmed that his focus remains on his role as England manager. He is preparing the team for their upcoming friendly against Senegal and emphasized his commitment to prioritizing the players' welfare. "There is not one player who says, 'by the way, I would like to be on the bench and save myself for the Club World Cup', so they are hungry to play," Tuchel noted, highlighting the players' desire to compete. However, he also acknowledged the need to manage their workload carefully, stating, "The games are not the problem, it is just the amount of time that it occupies from the players and they need a proper rest somewhere in this calendar which they hardly get.”
Tuchel's comments highlight the potential challenges faced by clubs participating in international tournaments during the already congested football calendar. The expanded Club World Cup is designed to be a global celebration of the sport, but its impact on the Premier League title race could be significant, potentially tilting the balance in favor of Liverpool and Arsenal.
