The English Premier League IS The Best In The World

Jamie Carragher, in an interview with the Daily Mail claimed that Liverpool have been one of the top 5 clubs in Europe while he has been there. The problem, he says, is that 3 of them are in the premier league.

The Premier League has strength in depth that not only provides week in week out excitement; it also means that only 4 weeks ago it seemed Manchester United would win the title at a canter without loosing a game. Now they face a resurgent Liverpool under heavy pressure, having lost at Wolves who were bottom at the time and Chelsea who were seriously out of form, from a slick Arsenal team and 3 buoyant teams in touching distance. The question is now ‘can Chelsea catch them’ not ‘can only Arsenal cling to the United coat-tails.’

FC Barcelona are, rightly, proclaimed to be the best team in the world. Yet despite playing Arsenal out of North London, let alone the Emirates, for 60 minutes they lost 2-1. Arsenal dominated a 20 minute spell that made the Barcelona team literally quake with fear. They had not experienced a team fighting back, let alone with quality as Arsenal did. My point is this. Barcelona are the best football team I have ever watched, but they are simply not used to a competitive opponent. Whilst Manchester United expect a hard game at Blackpool and Wolves, and get them, Barcelona expect to walk through most of their games and do.

I watched a Real Madrid side trounce Malaga 7-0 on Thursday evening. But the win, and the size of it, seemed no surprise. The talk all the way through the game was that only 4 points could be dropped if they were to match the previous season’s points tally that the now Malaga manager, Pellegrino, had achieved at Real the season before. Real achieved 96 points; dropping only 18 points. They came second.

The two best teams in Italy have been embarrassed by the fifth best team in England. Italian teams, with the exception of Inters defeat of Chelsea, have an appalling record against Premier league opposition. I can recall at least two occasions where the Italian teams discipline has disintegrated in the face of Premier League opposition. Arsenals majestic thrashing of Inter in Milan in 2003, was no fluke and that precedent has continued.

Detractors claim that the quality of football on main land Europe is better, and the way the sport in Germany is run should be a model for all leagues and clubs. However, football is a spectator sport and even a mid-table skirmish in the Premier League has the power to excite the senses. I refer you to the recent West Brom, Blackpool clash.

It is argued that the Premier League is only ever a 2 horse race and that the top 4 are guaranteed each season. However, through investment, made possible by the riches that the league offers, 2 more clubs have joined the ‘big 4’ with Manchester City and Tottenham both challenging the established elite.

The investment and the money that surrounds the Premier League is a debate that must be heard, but the league is more exciting because of the rewards it offers. Players want to play here, because of the pay on offer. Clubs that haven’t won silverware regularly, can attract world stars and outbid the established teams. This has meant that while brand and history still matters, the old establishment does not monopolise the best talent in the way it used to.

The normal fan is being priced out of the grounds but the fact is most would still want to watch the entertainment on offer even if they have to do so from an armchair or a pub stool.

I believe that the Premier League and Champions League has created a monster that can never be slain, we are to far travelled down that path to redeem ourselves. However there is no doubt that in straight comparison the English Premier League is the most entertaining in the world.

Can anyone truly predict with confidence who will win the title, finish in the top 4, or be relegated with only 2 months of the season remaining? That is why the premier league is the best league in the world.

Finally, something for Jamie Carragher to think about. Liverpool would still be classed as one of the top teams in Europe; Probably in the top 10. Unfortunately at least 5 of those are in the Premier League.