Image credit: Getty Images
England manager Thomas Tuchel has suggested that Arsenal and Liverpool could benefit significantly in the upcoming Premier League campaign due to their absence from FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup this summer.
The newly expanded tournament is set to kick off this month in the United States, with Chelsea and Manchester City among the clubs representing the Premier League. Should either side reach the final, their season could extend as far as July 13, just five weeks before the 2025/26 Premier League campaign begins.
Arsenal and Liverpool, however, will not take part in the Club World Cup, allowing both teams a full summer to rest and prepare for the new season, an advantage Thomas Tuchel believes could prove decisive.
READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano reveals latest on Zubimendi amid Real Madrid hijack threat
“I think the Club World Cup will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage next season to not be there,” Tuchel said. “It’s going to be a great experience for the players who are involved, but it’s mixed feelings overall.”
Tuchel, who is preparing his England squad for a friendly against Senegal on Tuesday night, is mindful of the packed schedule many of his players are facing. Nine members of his 25-man squad are due to compete at the Club World Cup, compounding an already long season for many.
Despite this, the England boss insists his players remain eager to play, with no sign of fatigue dampening their enthusiasm ahead of the friendly at the City Ground.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
“I have to tell you, if you go and ask the players individually, I think you’d get 25 who say: ‘I want to start,’” Thomas Tuchel explained. “The clubs are understandably concerned about the Club World Cup after a long season, but the players are hungry to play.”
He acknowledged the toll the extended calendar is taking on players, calling for better scheduling to allow for proper rest.
“The games themselves aren’t the issue, it’s the amount of time they occupy in the calendar,” he added. “Players need a proper break, and right now, they hardly get one.”