| Re: Premier League Matches Abroad I really like the idea. The main sticking point would be who plays who, but clubs should see it as a good opportunity to play the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United in places out of their comfort zone. It may actually be their best chance to beat them in places which are hot and humid?
People talk about the tradition, but the Premier League is only about 16 years old, so there isn’t really any tradition to be kept. Football is a global game, and the Premier League gains a helluva lot of money from the Asia, and without that money there is no way clubs would be able to attract big name players to their clubs. So to go and play one regular game a season away from the UK is not a big ask in my opinion.
It is a practice used in a lot of other sports. The NBA (Basketball), NHL (Ice Hockey) and the NFL (American Football) all had teams playing regular season games in the UK this past season, and the Millennium Stadium hosts a whole round of Rugby League: Super League action each May (okay not as far as the of the side of the word).
If the correct venues are chosen, and all the teams are welcomed with open arms, then I believe this could be a fantastic opportunity for the Premier League and all the clubs involved. As a fan it would create great interest for me. The league needs to shake up it’s ideas, and football needs to move on. |