Luis Suarez’s seemingly inevitable departure from Liverpool, and more significantly English football, is the latest worrying example of one of the world’s finest talents choosing to pursue his career away from the Premier League.
This country’s top-flight continues to provide the viewing of choice for millions of fans across the globe. That fact is borne out by the extraordinary £2bn contribution from overseas territories towards the approximate £5.5bn England’s elite 20 clubs will share over the next three seasons as a consequence of the latest television rights sale.
Nevertheless, our harum-scarum, ceaselessly competitive, top-flight no longer appears to possess the same allure for the game’s top-end performers.
If Suarez’s sale to Real Madrid is confirmed there will be few people mourning the loss of the Uruguayan’s questionable character from these shores. There will, however, be genuine concern that an unquestionably brilliant footballer will be following in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas, and Luka Modric, in considering Spain’s La Liga, – or more accurately, the Bernabeu or Nou Camp – the appropriate arena in which to display his wares.
Of course, the purchasing power of Barcelona and Real Madrid is nothing new. Gary Lineker’s Golden Boot winning World Cup finals in 1986 preceded a transfer to Catalonia – where he would work under the management of another Englishman, Terry Venables.
In a week when the England national team’s shortcomings are being – rather unfairly – dissected, there is palpable disquiet that so few home-reared players and managers are presently being courted by continental heavyweights.
Those European giants are prioritising the stockpiling of premium talent, regardless of its origin. The selection of footballers considered as belonging in that bracket does not feature many Englishmen in its number. Gradually, it will include fewer players who operate at Premier League grounds each week.
When Arsenal’s ‘Invincibles’ completed their 2003/2004 league campaign unblemished, they possessed in their ranks performers who could bear comparison with any other on the planet. Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Patrick Vieira, and Dennis Bergkamp could all lay authentic claim to being unmatched in the mastery of their respective arts.
David Beckham’s departure for Madrid prior to that Arsenal dominated term was not deemed to be a slight on English football. Sir Alex Ferguson was ready to cut his ties with the midfielder. Moreover, the Scot’s defending champions had captured a young Ronaldo, and had one of the World’s premier strikers, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, spearheading their attack.
Roman Abramovich’s 2003 takeover had elevated Chelsea to a position from which they could compete at the high end of the transfer market. 12 months later, the arrival of European football’s most coveted manager, Jose Mourinho, further cemented the reputation of a club in the ascendancy.
During the Portuguese boss’ decorated reign, Claude Makelele, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben, and Michael Essien were among the world game’s pre-eminent names to flourish at Stamford Bridge.
Now, with the spiralling monetary rewards on offer for Champions League progress – and mere participation – competition for the signature of any potentially available asset spreads wider than ever before.
Barca and Real continue to hold the greatest lustre. The Catalans this week confirmed the addition to their illustrious squad of the much heralded Brazilian forward, Neymar.
At the Bernabeu, club President Florentino Perez, not content with Suarez’s likely arrival, continues to pursue Gareth Bale. The departure of Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh winger would be another stinging blow to the league in which he currently operates. If Bale is to leave North London – either this summer or next – it seems inevitable that his destination lies abroad.
On the last occasion such a high-profile British player sought pastures new an admittedly still raw Wayne Rooney remained in his homeland, opting to switch to Manchester United from Everton.
No, I think there’s a case to be had that it’s the best it’s been because of all the competitive teams. Real Madrid and Barca are on another planet but when you have 7 teams all challenging for all top 4, a lot of the spain interational side now playing in england. Clubs like West ham are bidding £14m for players like Negredo. I think it looks like its in decline because Man utd, Arsenal and Chelsea are not as attractive as the two big spanish sides and the fact the two German sides to got to the final. I think the premiership is very healthy.
That’s one question that you really do NOT need to ask. The quality players all play abroad and we are hung up on English “quality” – LOL.