The Manchester City defender has slammed the upcoming tournament in the USA, and says that he and his team-mates would rather not play in it after a long, gruelling season
Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji has laid into this summer's Club World Cup and says that he and his team-mates would rather not take part in it.
The controversial 32-team tournament kicks off in the USA next weekend, with City facing matches Morocco's Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia on June 18, the UAE's Al-Ain in Atlanta on June 23 and Serie A giants Juventus in Orlando on June 26 in the group stages.
City are being tipped by some to go all the way to the final on July 13, but after a gruelling season which saw them cede their grip on the Premier League title to Liverpool, crash out of the Champions League to Real Madrid and lose the FA Cup final to Crystal Palace, Swiss defender Akanji says he'd rather not bother with FIFA's revamped tournament.
Speaking from Salt Lake City where Switzerland will face Mexico in a friendly on Saturday, Akanji said: "I have been a strong critic of this competition for some time now. We players would love to have some holidays, and some time for our bodies to rest.
"My City teammates are not exactly overjoyed about the tournament either. But it's now right in our faces, and there is nothing we can do about it.
"If we take part, then of course we want to win it. But if we reach the final, then the time period for us to recover ahead of the new season will become even shorter."
Akanji will remain in the US after Saturday's match before linking up with his City team-mates, and he admits his side let themselves down this season in comparison with their own high standards.
"Set against the expectations we have, this hasn't been a good season. We finished third in the Premier League, three points behind Arsenal, and qualified for the Champions League," continued Akanji.
"But it is still our worst campaign for some time. However, Pep Guardiola still said he was proud of us for never giving up. The season could have finished far worse than it did."
diwbiopsty
1
these players are no robots. let them have some fucking rest!
Fudge007
0
THEN PLAY THE DAMN UNDER 21S BECAUSE THESE PLAYERS JUST WANT TO GET PAID AND DON'T PLAY😒
Dapcmostz
0
remove him From our club
Yayaeilu
0
FIFA and UEFA are taking every opportunity to make £€$.
Hezadklnpz
0
Your team pays you a lot of money to play. It's not your place to decide which competition to play or not. You can as well retire from football.
I want to be sure u work also? don't u rest too? or are u just jealous of their salaries that u want the players dead b4 u agree human body need rest?
paeaimrt
1
His preparing what to say after been eliminated in group stages
MumbaRk
2
this tournament is useless his right
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
Akanji speaking the opposite, he sounds like they are not ready to partake while they are over prepared for it. With Pep nothing is impossible in football.
I sense lots of Economic Distinguishing Discrimination
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
Akanji speaking the opposite, he sounds like they are not ready to partake while they are over prepared for it. With Pep nothing is impossible in football.
Bro .. Atleast u think like human ! no humans are machine no matter how much they earn !
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
How is he lazy?
I mean "he" the guy who said akanji is lazy
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
How is he lazy?
don't talk abt that to him .. he is not human after all .. he is a machine who works continuously nah. ? he earns money and he doesn't need rest bro . he is a different machine ,, leave him ,he obviously doesn't have time to reply u since he doesn't have time to talk with u
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
if you were a professional player with a family, you would understand
u r right ,most fans assume them as machines
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
if you were a professional player with a family, you would understand
u r right bro .. Most fans assume them as machines
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
A tournament that will put a lots into your pocket and you're saying rubbish things,you re indeed lasy
a Senseless thoughts and Senseful thoughts has two opinion cleary u show a senseless thought
Dukaiklouy
1
Akanji speaking the opposite, he sounds like they are not ready to partake while they are over prepared for it. With Pep nothing is impossible in football.
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
Your team pays you a lot of money to play. It's not your place to decide which competition to play or not. You can as well retire from football.
u don't have the right to say that to a player who plays to earn and also entertain fans . Humans arent machines
CitizenOfFootball_FC
0
A professional player speaking rubbish. Where do you think your club gets sponsors, money, etc to pay your weekly salaries?
Dude .. Money and Humanly Needs are different . Already the EPL clubs play 4+ tournaments .and now u speak this ? U go in his place .. u would disagree to play even 3 tournament simultaneously
CitizenOfFootball_FC
4
Fans are utterly senseless on their physical needs of rest not just that, They need time for minor tears in muscles that may have happened too Some fans are baseless thinking that a human can go on playing football becoz he is earning millions I will say u one thing .. No matter which profession u do .. Rest and Break is Important and if u don't agree , Then pls don't Cry replying to me !
Saebcimpy
0
Why you are so afraid Manuel.
Litelntz
1
A tournament that will put a lots into your pocket and you're saying rubbish things,you re indeed lasy
maresca says it...pep says it...klopp says it too many games a season isn't good for the players....the same reason why fifa and uefa hits out at the esl plus they get some prominent managers on their side when the esl was announced...too many games and whatever it's the same thing fifa and uefa doing
Zezesol400
0
Just don't go
Tayadiy
2
He has a point, but stressing it to those you listen or read to respond it does no mske sense, comment section is full of stupid people, these platers are not macgines they definitely need enough time to rest, even machines operators they switch them of to cool
dkn7
2
A professional player speaking rubbish. Where do you think your club gets sponsors, money, etc to pay your weekly salaries?
dkn7
0
Your team pays you a lot of money to play. It's not your place to decide which competition to play or not. You can as well retire from football.
vaciklmptz
1
Just go play loose n come back
yusakopstz
4
some people will not get his point but what he said is the truth.
samprass101
0
then go home
Seocdekntz
0
Man city is given a weak group
Amalia4840
0
Does city players told you they don't want to be there?
olubukolaemmanuel
2
A tournament that will put a lots into your pocket and you're saying rubbish things,you re indeed lasy
citacdept
1
You want to be paid huge wages but don't want to work
dasbdkps
0
😂
hohdeopt
1
Attitude of.a lazy player
How is he lazy?
george91
5
if you were a professional player with a family, you would understand
Naoekprt
2
Attitude of.a lazy player
Believersministry1
1
Y is city not selling this guy