Away from the Spanish monoliths, German football’s rising star extends beyond Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund’s progress to the Champions League final. Bayern have hired Pep Guardiola, arguably the continent’s most revered boss.
The European champions are more than matching that relentless ambition with their on-field recruitment. Mario Gotze, still only 20 years-old and judged by many knowing observers to be of one of the game’s most exciting prospects, was unable to resist Bayern’s approach when they agreed to pay the £31.5m release clause in his Dortmund contract.
Gotze would have been on the wish-list of any of the Premier League’s big-hitters, as would his erstwhile team-mate, the Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, who looks set to follow the playmaker to Munich.
The impending impact of Financial Fair Play regulations is proving no bar to the new money in French football offering an alternative home for some serious players.
Within seven days of tempting Porto’s Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez to the principality for the small matter of a combined £60m, Russian backed Monaco made their grandest statement yet. The two Manchester giants, Chelsea, and Arsenal, would all be markedly strengthened by Radamel Falcao’s line-leading abilities. Instead, the free-scoring Colombian striker has moved from Atletico Madrid to the freshly promoted, and excessively wealthy, Ligue 1 side for £50m.
Monaco can expect to challenge the domestic superiority of Paris Saint-Germain. The French capital’s club, with their own heavy Qatari investment, have taken Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Thiago Silva, Ezequiel Lavezzi, and Lucas Moura, – all men whose skills would enrich the Premier League – to the Parc de Princes during the course of the past year.
Napoli’s Edinson Cavani, who along with Suarez, Lewandowski, and Falcao makes up one-quarter of Europe’s most hunted centre-forwards, might yet end up in England. The smarter money though, would be on Suarez’s compatriot remaining at Napoli or boosting further Barcelona or Real Madrid’s remarkable battery of galacticos.
The past season provided a poor return for England’s Champions League contenders – Manchester United and Arsenal’s last-16 exits surpassed the progress of any of their domestic counterparts. Notwithstanding that, it would be folly to read too much into a single year. After all, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea, have all assumed both the part of winner and runner-up in that competition over the previous eight editions.
Nevertheless, the re-emergence of Juventus as a force at a time when Serie A is undergoing a mini rejuvenation, and the nouveau riche Eastern European challenge, have added to the burgeoning continental footballing landscape. Muscles aren’t only being flexed in Spain, Germany, and France.
Watchers of the Premier League still bear witness to the calibre of Robin Van Persie, Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero, and Juan Mata – all men who jostle in the pack below Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for berths in any list of world ranked players.
The quality within that quartet however, is a rarer sight in England than for a long time. Messrs, Moyes, Mourinho, Pellegrini, and possibly even Wenger, will not expect to sit idly by and watch their European rivals continue to snap up the finest goods on the shelf.
Those four managers will have to work harder than ever before to attract the individuals they prize. This summer will bring its traditional transfer rumour-mongering and half-truths. The actual trading activity by England’s top clubs will have a far reaching impact for all.
If the trickle of top-class footballers leaving this country, or the growing numbers choosing not to come at all, becomes an enduring trend, that £5.5bn will be a distant dream when the Premier League next has to sell its product.
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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.