So Sandro Rosell has weighed in over the debate on club ownership in the Premier League, saying that the English League has effectively ‘sold out’ and that his precious Barcelona would never, ever do that. Rosell blames in influx of American and Middle Eastern money for this, and states that he thinks more clubs should adopt the model of Barcelona. Yet are the points he is making really valid?
When Roman Abramovich arrived at Chelsea, the game in England changed. The money that the blues then had to play with surpassed anything anyone had seen or imagined before, and it took Chelsea to a new level, both in terms of players and success. Other clubs followed suit, United to the Glazers’, Newcastle to Ashley and notably Manchester City to the Sheiks.
There will always be people who say this is the time that football died, with the game becoming about things other than just going out and playing on a Saturday afternoon, and players now paid excessive wages and living a pre-Madonna lifestyle.
Yet without the money that has now been bought into the Premier League, would we have seen our league become the best in the world and been able to witness the arrival of some of the players we have? It is inevitable that there will always be clubs who are better and richer than others, such is the nature of the world.
Whilst there is certainly an argument to say the gap between the top few teams and the rest has widened due to the purchase of clubs, was there not always a gulf anyway? Before Abramovich came along, the title was challenged by United and Arsenal. That was all. Now, we have Chelsea, United, Arsenal and City as real contenders to the crown.
Yes there is a huge problem with clubs spending more than they can technically afford, and this is something that as to change. Not to mention the financial fair play rules and the ‘fit and proper persons’ test being nothing short of a joke, yet you ask any Chelsea or City fan if they would rather be in the position pre sale – I assure you they would not.
With the influx of money into the Premier League, not only has it made the individual clubs more competitive, but has raised the bar for the league as a whole. Much like Nadal and Federer pushed each other to new heights, this has happened in the Premier League, firstly with Chelsea and now with City, who have raised the bar, and if clubs such as United wish to compete they too have to step up and raise their game.
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it’s ‘Prima Donna’ not Pre-Madonna. Lifestyles were not that much more decadent before Madonna arrived on the scene.
Nice….Too Funny
There is very little talent, if any, amongst the British footballers. The little that comes close to being a talent has got a ridiculous price tag on it. So, to make the league more interesting and add skill to it, up came the foreign ownership with their cash. Thank you foreign owners. Can you imagine watching the EPL composed of British players only, no skill, no tactic, no technique just football wrestling and kick and run. i would rather watch paint dry than watch the so called British talent. The foreign owners have been a blessing!!!!
I would have thought you would be – like ole king ken obviously is – far more concerned about the appalling fixture pile up ‘pool face and all the referees the are out to get ‘pool rather than the fact ‘pool are owned by a septic!
This has what to do with the topic? FSG are a septic?? They’ve done nothing but bring hope back to LFC fans worldwide, something a Spurs fan would have no concept of.
*false hope
Perhaps it was a pre Maradonna lifestyle the author was thinking of.
HOW ANYBODY CAN SAY THE BRITISH LEAGUE IS THE BEST SURPRISES ME.I THINK THE SPANISH IS BETTER.THE GERMANS ARE NOT FAR BEHIND.THE BRITISH LEAGUE IN THE MAIN IS FAR MORE PHYSICAL.ALSO FASTER.THE SKILL IN THE MAIN COMES FROM THE FOREIGN PLAYERS.WHO CAN MATCH MODRIC AND TORRES WHEN BOTH ARE PLAYING WELL?THE ANSWER IS NOBODY.