When Rodri raised concerns last September that players might go on strike over the increased workload, it seemed the last thing Manchester City needed was the newly expanded Club World Cup this summer.
The influential Spanish midfielder may also have had his thoughts on the new Champions League format, but the extra tournament scheduled during a period usually reserved for rest has clearly become a source of tension.
“I think we are close to it,” the Ballon d'Or winner said when asked about the possibility of a players' strike over their seemingly ever-increasing match commitments. “If this continues, (there will be) a point where we have no choice, but we will see.”
As the season progressed, City faced an unusual setback – failing to secure the Premier League title they had won for the previous four years and exiting the Champions League at the last 16 stage – and they looked like they needed a break to regroup.
However, as the moment approached, no doubt helped by the announcement that the winners of FIFA's latest showpiece event could receive around £100m, the tone changed.
If Pep Guardiola has any reservations about the match load, injuries and lack of time to prepare for next season (which were the most heavily hinted at last season), he is now keeping them to himself.
“This is a very, very serious competition,” the city manager said recently with characteristic energy. “The whole world will be watching this summer.
“There are a lot of the best teams in the world coming to this tournament and I can assure you that we will do our best. We are going there to win.”
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
