This article first appeared in the May/Jun 2012 issue of World Gaming magazine.
While he was trying to sell the English Premier League (EPL) television broadcasting rights to the world for an enormous sum, the EPL’s CEO Richard Scudamore described his competition as the “best league in the world”. But with the poor performance of EPL clubs in the Champions League this season, does this statement still hold water? Moreover, how is “the best” in the football world defined, and is it even a relevant argument, given we have the Champions League? Chelsea is the only EPL club to have performed well in this season’s Champions League, having reached the final against Bayern Munich. Teams such as Real Madrid, under the tutelage of José Mourinho, and Josep Guardiola’s Barcelona demonstrate a style of play far superior to any EPL side. Their technique and tactical variation often leave their opponents scratching their heads in disbelief.
However, Mr Scudamore’s EPL has one thing going for it that other European football leagues do not, and that is its competitiveness. It is difficult to find a national league that has the kinds of “battles within the battle” that the EPL does. In Spain’s La Liga, Real Madrid and Barcelona have been dominating the top of the table for a long time. In Italy, the recovery of Juventus this season, although a welcome surprise, has come at the decline of Inter Milan. A brief look at Serie A will show it is now a two-horse race between AC Milan and Juventus. The good old days of la sette sorelle,, or the seven sisters, are now a thing of the distant past.
Conversely, in recent seasons the EPL has become more and more competitive. Although the premiership will find its way to either Old Trafford or Etihad Stadium in Manchester this season, the fight for the remaining Champions League tickets is gaining momentum, and offers clubs another battle worth fighting for. With a minimum €3 million in prize money for qualification and more than €30 million for the eventual winner, it’s easy to understand why Champions League qualification is so important.
In sharp contrast to the huge financial rewards associated with the Champions League, the UEFA Europa League has far less monetary incentive. While Liverpool has earned their Europa League spot by virtue of their League (Carling) Cup win against Cardiff, the other two Europa League spots will somewhat ironically come from the losers of Champions League qualification matches.
In the early days of the season, the two North London clubs Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal appeared a long way from next year’s Champions League. They were both slaughtered on the same match-day by the two Manchester clubs. The final scores had Spurs going down to City 5-1,while Arsenal capitulated in a humiliating 8-2 drubbing courtesy of United. However, the magic of the EPL lies in its unpredictability. Tottenham Hotspur found their feet later in the season, and moved to within a few points of the top. At one point, they showed the potential to win their first premiership trophy since the inception of the EPL in 1992. However, a lack of decent squad players affected Spurs performance towards the end of the season. Despite this, both Spurs and their North London derby rival Arsenal are hotly in contention for a top four spot.
Chelsea has done exceptionally well this season, given their disaster signing and subsequent sacking of André Villas-Boas. But there is still time to salvage a lot from this season. Internationally, they have their Champions League final to look forward to. Domestically, they trail behind the top four by only one point, so it’s too early to rule them out of next season’s Champions League. Although they are not expected to win the Champions League final, you never know what might happen with the appointment of their new interim manager Roberto Di Matteo. The latter part of the season both at home and on the continent may yet define their 2011/12 season, and as Di Matteo himself has said, calm heads will be crucial!
Yohan Cabaye
Hatem Ben Arfa
Demba Ba
If you could pick one club to demonstrate the charisma of the EPL, it has to be Newcastle United. The Magpies fought their way back last season after much turmoil, both on and off the pitch. With the sale of both Andy Carroll and left back José Enrique to Liverpool, along with a change of manager, it has been a true demonstration of Novocastrian grit to re-emerge as major players in the EPL. This season, they have created a brilliant strike partnership with Demba Ba and Papiss Cissé. Two Frenchmen have controlled the midfield, with Yohan Cabaye anchoring in the holding position, and Hatem Ben Arfa playing like the “new Messi”, a nickname coined by the local press. Cissé cost the Magpies £9 million, Ben Arfa “just” £5 million, and Demba Ba joined the northeast club for free. Newcastle can by no means be accused of buying a premiership chance.
The specter of relegation has ensured the competition is just as fierce at the bottom of the table as it is at the top. Apart from Wolves, who are doomed to go down, five clubs are involved in the relegation battle. Bolton, Blackburn, Wigan, Queens Park Rangers and even Aston Villa have their 2012/13 Premier League futures on the line. Their fight for survival is producing performances based more on desperation than the promise of glory. And it is desperation that is responsible for the incredible late-season heroics of Wigan, who historically beat Manchester United 1-0 on April 11 and then Arsenal 2-1 on April 16, taking an unlikely three points off both the seemingly invincible Red Devils and the third placed Gunners. Even teams under relegation threat have the ability to change the course of the premiership title, and that’s what football fans rightly expect from a genuinely competitive league.
From the top of the table to the bottom, both locally and on the continent, the English Premier League produces a level of competition that is the envy of fans the world over. Thanks to the commitment of the clubs, their players and the fans, the EPL can still lay claim to being the best league in the world.
