The 2024/25 campaign was one to forget for Pep Guardiola and his Man City squad.
Last term was the first time the Manchester club have gone a season trophyless since the 2016/17 campaign as City went from winning four Premier League titles in a row to needing to qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the season.
Guardiola is keen to add four or five new faces to his squad this summer as Man City do not want to go through this again next season, and it is fair that many of the Spaniard’s squad are happy that the campaign is over, so they can turn the page quickly.
However, football never seems to stand still, and Manuel Akanji has already revealed a big concern Man City players have ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
The Man City dressing room are not excited about the FIFA Club World Cup
Akanji has been a bargain signing for Man City ever since the defender moved to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, but like many stars at the Manchester club, the Swiss international has experienced a tough season, especially with injuries.
The centre-back would have enjoyed a break this summer, but that is not going to happen with the FIFA Club World Cup taking place. The 29-year-old has admitted that the Man City dressing room are not keen on the tournament, while also being worried about recovery time for next season.
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Speaking from Salt Lake City, where Switzerland will face Mexico in a friendly on Saturday, Akanji told The Mirror: “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.”
Man City are expected to go far in the tournament this summer, and it is not long before they kick off their campaign.
When do Man City get their Club World Cup campaign underway
The FIFA Club World Cup will run from June 14 to July 13, with Man City kicking off their campaign against Wydad AC on June 18.
The Premier League club will play the remainder of their group games on June 23 and June 26, first against Al Ain before taking on their toughest opponent of the round against Juventus.
Man City have everything in place to have Tijjani Reijnders as part of their squad for the tournament, while a deal for Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri is expected to get over the line in the coming days.
With both players set to be part of Guardiola’s squad for their trip to America, that increases their chances of going far, and Akanji’s fears may be realised as the Man City dressing room will not get much of a break before the 2025/26 campaign gets underway in August.