Ray Parlour feels Club World Cup could be ideal platform for young stars

The FIFA Club World Cup stage is set this month, as the world's best players descend on the United States for the revamped competition.

Some of the game's biggest names will be on show during the month, including the likes of Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele and Harry Kane, as their teams look to be crowned the best in the world.

However, away from the headline acts, former Arsenal star Ray Parlour believes the competition could be the perfect place to see some of football's newest names. 

Speaking exclusively to DAZN News, thanks to NetBet Online Casino, Parlour thinks it could be the ideal opportunity for the club's youngsters to really make a name for themselves. 

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He said, "It's going to be good for young players. I mean, the youngsters will get an opportunity at a big, prestigious trophy around the world. Everybody will be watching it, especially as there's no men's major international tournament. 
 
"So it's a real opportunity for young players as well to make their mark and say, look, I'm ready to get into that first team if they get their opportunity. 

"I'm especially looking at how Man City line up and Chelsea, obviously, with my Premier League head on. But, you know, it's a tournament that if it goes really well,  it's only going to get bigger."



Whatever teams the managers decide to put out during the tournament, the competition also gives clubs the chance to pit their wits against the best teams from across the globe and earn huge financial rewards in doing so. 

Parlour is keenly aware of how the riches of the Club World Cup benefit both Manchester City and Chelsea ahead of next season. 

"It's a great, great tournament for Man City and Chelsea because they're going to get lots of money," he added. 

"It gives them a little bit more bargaining power to buy up other players with the money they're going to bring in. I'm going to be interested to see how it goes.

"There are clubs from all around the world which will be interesting to see.  You can sense how strong the leagues are via the Club World Cup.

"You don't really know how strong it is because they don't really play against European clubs. So now this will give you a little bit more of a leveller for certain clubs."

Watch all 63 matches of the 2025 Club World Cup live on DAZN. More information and to sign up for a free account here