Pedro Neto Defends Club World Cup Against Criticism Over Player Burnout

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto defended the enlarged Club World Cup, even as there’s mounting criticism over the timing of the tournament and its impact on player welfare.

The 32-team format has been under attack from players, pundits, and unions themselves due to concerns regarding player burnout. Manchester City midfielder Rodri has even gone as far as to say that players could go on strike in the future if the jam-packed fixture list is not brought back under control. England captain Harry Kane has seconded those concerns, criticizing football officials for suppressing the views of players.

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Last week, players’ union FIFPRO, representing world players, published a 12-point plan appealing for structural changes in an effort to more safely protect players, including obligatory off-season breaks lasting four weeks.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has nevertheless endorsed the new competition format with the argument that players embrace the tournament.

Perhaps some of them criticize it a bit, but it’s new,” Infantino stated. “It’s a real World Cup with the best teams and the best players. The players who play love it.”

Infantino quoted Kane’s own remarks calling the tournament “fantastic” and “beautiful” as proof that everybody loves the tournament.

Neto would seem to concur that he feels privileged to play for Chelsea on the world stage.

Pedro Neto Defends Club World Cup Against Criticism Over Player Burnout

We must be thankful,” Neto explained. “We are here competing in this competition. I’m 100 percent sure that there are many players who would give an arm. We are Chelsea — we play to win, and we have such a great team.”.

Neto spoke after Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Flamengo in their second group-stage match on Friday. In his post-match comments, the former Wolves winger admitted that Flamengo’s higher desire had prevailed.

“What went wrong was the second half. In the first half, maybe they had more possession, but we had more chances,” he said.
We started the second half well, tried to push further up, but Flamengo were hungrier. That was the difference — and after the red card, the game was done.

Chelsea can still make it to the knockout phase, depending on how other matches in the group play out.”.

Pedro Neto Defends Club World Cup Against Criticism Over Player Burnout

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