Arsene Wenger has hit back at Jurgen Klopp‘s claim that the Club World Cup is ‘the worst idea ever in football’.
The former Arsenal boss, now FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, insisted the competition is ‘needed’ and defended the quality of football and higher-than-expected attendances. Wenger also shared the view that all participating clubs would jump at the chance to compete again.
‘Everyone is entitled to their opinion,’ said the Frenchman. ‘I don’t share the opinion of Jurgen Klopp. The Club World Cup is needed. 100 per cent of the clubs here want to do this again.’
Save for the final, the revamped 32-team competition is complete, yet it is still difficult to appraise the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Both the quality of football and attendances have been major talking points, with stiflingly hot conditions, mismatched contests and half-empty stadiums often contributing to an odd experience.
FIFA have sought to address the attendance issue in audacious, sometimes ingenious, ways that warrant some credit. On several occasions during the tournament the governing body has essentially flogged tickets, slashing prices and even handing out spaces for free.
Arsene Wenger has hit back at Jurgen Klopp ‘s claim that the Club World Cup is ‘the worst idea ever in football’
Klopp, now Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, slammed the competition for adding to player workload
Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will take on Chelsea in Sunday’s final
This appears to have helped in some of the more high-profile matches, particularly involving Europe’s elite and the well-supported Brazilian contingent.
But numerous matches in the group stage and the round of 16 were played in barren environments.
Last month, Klopp publicised his frustration with the added burden the tournament has put on players in an already saturated schedule.
Speaking to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, he said: ‘People who have never had anything to do with day-to-day business are coming up with ideas.
‘I fear that next season players will suffer injuries they’ve never had before. If not, then it’ll happen at the World Cup or afterwards.’
Notwithstanding the freak injury to Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala, muscle injuries, or those associated with overload have not been plentiful. But the impact on players later in the season remains to be seen.
At present, finalist Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain will likely console themselves with the vast sums earned from just four-week’s worth of work.
Both sides have pocketed around £80million, with a further £12m up for grabs for winning Sunday’s final.
