Former Chelsea player Craig Burley says the Blues ’embarrassed’ themselves by celebrating a ‘nonsense’ Club World Cup victory against Palmeiras while Manchester City extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Romelu Lukaku and Kai Havertz scored to beat Palmeiras 2-1 in Dubai, helping Chelsea to complete a full-set of silverware since Roman Abramovich’s takeover in 2003.
But while Chelsea have been in the Middle-East, City have beaten Norwich and Brentford to extend their lead over the Blues to 16 points in the league table.
And Burley says it’s ’embarrassing’ that Chelsea were so vocal about their win, particularly when their title bid has collapsed at home.
I get it they’re off playing in it but I don’t watch this competition, I think it’s a nonsense,”Burley told ESPN.
“They’re off salivating about winning it. you’ve got Lukaku scoring a good header, you’ve got Havertz scoring a penalty. Do it when it matters!
“Alright Havertz scored in Champions League Final but as they’re off celebrating like they’ve won the World Cup, City have racked up a 16-point lead on Chelsea where it really matters – in the Premier League – the big competition for them.
“And they’re off celebrating out there like they’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. Meanwhile they’re getting their backside booted all over the place by City. It’s embarrassing.
“The Champions League Final is fine, winning the Premier League is fine but the Club World Cup is nonsense. It’s a showpiece event, it’s a plastic trophy.
“I don’t buy a £100m striker to win the bloody Club World Cup. I buy them to challenge City and Liverpool in the Premier League [but] they haven’t done it.
“They’re 16 points behind, they haven’t got a chance of winning it this year and the way they’re playing they don’t have a chance next year.
“So spare me this plastic fans, plastic cup, Club World Cup nonsense. Your bread and butter is the Premier League and City are whipping your backsides.”
