Club World Cup was a success and is here to stay - but we can't ignore major flaws

The farcical scenes of Donald Trump gatecrashing Chelsea’s trophy presentation was hardly a good look for the Club World Cup. Nor was FIFA president Gianni Infantino trying to be front and centre on the stage at MetLife as the final descended into chaos.

It is a shame they tried to hijack Chelsea’s moment of glory because it is the players, manager Enzo Maresca and the staff who really deserve to be in the spotlight.

After a hectic month travelling around the United States, seven games culminated in Chelsea beating Paris Saint Germain with a sensational performance in the final to win the trophy and £97m in prize money.

It should also be about a new-look competition which was controversial before it started, divided opinion throughout and yet you cannot deny that the big guns did take it seriously.

It turned out to be better than many expected, the final drew a crowd of 81,117 and there was enough there to convince FIFA that it will become a staple diet of the football calendar.

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There have been so many cynics saying they have hated it before adding they have not watched a single minute as if that is some sort of boast. It’s a bizarre attitude to take if you work in football. Shouldn’t you be across it at all?

For those with a more open mind, it was good. The football was of such a high level. PSG’s win over Real Madrid was sensational. Chelsea’s tactical masterclass in the final was brilliant. The Brazilian teams and their fans have been fabulous.

Cole Palmer was incredible in the final. There have been good games, big attendances and in many ways a decent dress rehearsal for the World Cup next summer. There have been so many shirts and fans around cities.

FIFA’s tactical briefing highlighted more goals, substitutes exerting greater influence and more keepers using the “X-Block.” It’s a new technique, keepers making better blocks in one-on-ones.

We cannot pretend it is not without major flaws. The football calendar is a farce. It cannot just be bolted on to the end of the season in four years’ time. It is too much for the players.

Football needs a discussion on the calendar. Do something radical like scrap the June international break when often the season is extended by three to four weeks for the sake of two games. That is when it can be played.

The kick-off times in scorching heat was too much. It’s unfair on the players. Use stadiums with roofs or put back the games. To start at midday in 30 degree-plus heat is just plain wrong.

Travel was far too much. To play so far and wide in such a big country is unfair on fans and just think about the environment. Play in three cities closer together.

What on earth has happened with kick-off times and the final had a half time of 24 minutes. The laws of the game say 15 minutes. It’s not hard. Do the razzamatazz - but do it so the football kicks off on time.

But the Club World Cup is here to stay. And just because it is change - and your team is not in it - does not mean it’s all bad. In four years’ time, Qatar, Brazil plus joint bid from Morocco, Spain, and Portugal all want to stage it.

It just needs some work. And for people like Trump and Infantino to stop making it about themselves. If it’s about taking it to the world and the people, then let the football take centre stage.

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