GEPA – USA TODAY Sports
The English Premier League is undeniably one of the soccer world’s shining lights. The commercial and financial success that the Premier League has seen since its inception in 1992 is unparalleled to any other domestic soccer league. With its lucrative television contracts estimated to be worth €3 billion alone, English soccer shows no sign of slowing down. The Premier League is the most watched soccer league in the world. Only trailing Germany’s Bundesliga in attendance, it averages a humble 35,363 spectators per game. So why does the EPL no longer attract soccer’s elite talent to its doorsteps?
Whether it’s the television contracts, sponsorship deals, ticket prices or huge wages for players, the EPL is one of the pioneers for big business in sports. No sensible soccer fan can deny the exposure and publicity that comes along with playing in the Premiership.
However, its last world player of the year was Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008. But in 2009, he jumped ship to Real Madrid for a world record fee of €80M. When was the last time a player from the Premiership was a finalist for the Ballon d’Or trophy given to the world’s best player? With the likes of Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Franck Ribery all residing on the continental mainland, this trend doesn’t look like it will be changing anytime soon. What does that say about the Premiership?
Of course, the Premiership has Tottenham Hotspurs‘ Gareth Bale, an up-and-coming, world-class talent, who will garner recognition as one of the best players in the world. But he is seemingly exiting the EPL for Real Madrid in a reported new world-record fee. For as much potential as he possesses, his achievements and accolades do not compare to the group of players aforementioned. Look at the most expensive transfers of the summer. The best players on the market didn’t choose the EPL as their next destination. Neymar (€57M) choose Barcelona, Radamael Falcao (€51M) choose Monaco, Edinson Cavani (€55M) choose Paris Saint German, Isco (€27M) choose Real Madrid, Gonzalo Higuain (€40M) choose Napoli, Mario Gotze (€37M) and Thiago Alcantara (€25M) choose Bayern Munich instead of a Premier League power. Cesc Fabregas seems more content on being a super-sub at Barcelona than returning to the EPL to play for Arsenal or Manchester United. Is this a sign that the Premiership can’t attract the world’s elite talent? Or is it a reminder that they never have?
There is no denying the collection of talent that the Premiership boast or the parody it has amongst the top four to six clubs. The fact still remains that since the Premiership has started, only five teams have won a title. Blackburn Rovers, who are currently relegated, are the only exception to the teams that qualified for the Champions League this past season. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are the other teams that have won championships in the Premier League era.
It is indisputable that the Premiership is very deep and provides competitive fixtures week in, week out. Honestly, would Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich finish top three in the EPL? These three clubs have an unquestioned collection of the world’s greatest players. It is hard to argue that they wouldn’t. With the plethora of world class Internationals that they posses in their squads, it would be foolish to think otherwise.
Does it make the EPL better than La Liga or the Bundesliga because their top teams aren’t as dominant in the EPL? Since when was quantity a better option than quality? Many claim the Premiership is the best league in the world, but the Champions League results this season will undoubtedly show the gulf in class between the top teams in Europe.
Tyronne Pruitt is a Soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TPruitt_454846, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
