The FA must level the playing field

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Manchester City fans celebrate after their team wins the title during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium on May 13, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

You will not want to argue if you read this – the Premier League is the most followed, glamorous and attractive football league, if not the most competitive in the world. We are not talking about the technical competitiveness and the quality of football played in this league but when it comes to luring players, EPL is way ahead of where others leagues stand. They get maximum coverage and exposure; the clubs are not entirely debt ridden and the players get paid on time. Footballers from other European leagues like Netherlands and France are flocking to England- some taking the money bait; others wanting to test and hone their skills against the big names of the game. For the fans and followers of the league, this is the best thing that can happen. But is it really good for the league itself and the teams?

Since the advent of new Premier League structure that started in 1992, only three teams have won the title except for one surprise appearance of Blackburn Rovers in 1995 and now Manchester City in 2012. Otherwise, the honors have gone to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Even Liverpool, one of the most celebrated clubs of Europe has not added silverware despite spending millions of pounds during the years. The Premier League was always touted as a league of the ‘Big 4’- the 4 being Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, if we do not include the emergence of Manchester City and to some extent, Tottenham Hotspurs.

It is like the league is now divided into 3 segments in terms on standings-

1. The ‘Title Challengers’- Earlier there was Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal; now the blue half of the Manchester has also left a mark. Majority of the Premier League viewers know that until a miracle happens (like the dismal performance of Liverpool and Chelsea last season), these clubs will make up the Top 5 in the table and in almost every season, one of them will win the league. And this season too, we will be watching the tussle in between these clubs for the coveted trophy.

2. The ‘Title Challengers’ Nemesis- Tottenham, Newcastle, Everton and to some extent Fulham and Sunderland make up this segment. I really do not believe Tottenham have in them to finish in Top 5 consistently. They are more of a threat to them. Newcastle United will again be a stubborn team to play against. Everton is a tough club to break down and I wonder what they would have achieved if David Moyes had the funds to spend. Fulham and particularly, Sunderland are much better than what they achieved last season. I expect Martin Jol and Martin O’Neill to create problems for the title challengers this season.

3. The ‘11-20’ Holders- The clubs, which know what they can achieve best is a mid table finish, make up this segment. West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Southampton, QPR, Norwich, Swansea, Reading, Wigan, Stoke City are those clubs. If results do not go their way, they might end up in relegation zone. On their day, they can upset big clubs with some marvelous display of football which, one wonders why, they do not exhibit regularly.

Taking some correctness into above estimate, it will not be right to say that BPL is the best league. And pretty much is the condition in every football league around the world except France, where 6 different clubs have claimed the title in last 10 years. It is true that this is very much nature of the game. Some teams always start as favorites and some are predicted to finish last. But when the same teams are the title challengers every year; at one level, things do start to get boring. If you are a Manchester United fan, you may still watch Chelsea fighting against Arsenal at the Bridge even if that ends 0-0; but you will rarely watch West Brom and Stoke playing out a 4-3 thriller for one reason – none of them have a realistic chance of claiming the title.

Enough arguments have been made on senseless, ridiculous money being pumped in to the game, so let us not discuss it. What needs to be done is to ensure a level playing field where at least half the teams in the league have realistic chance of winning it. Although, Financial Fair Play is being implemented; its pace is too slow and its effect is too little. The game was about playing beautifully and being loyal to the teams which one love. Now, the money dictates the terms. Oil wells call the shots.

The Premier League and Champions League winners – Manchester City and Chelsea respectively incurred huge losses last season. The penalties sanctioned under FFP are yet to be imposed and it’s not sure whether that will happen. Agreed, Premier League attracts the best talents, but the organisers need to give an equal chance to all the clubs vying for glory. That will make this league more interesting to watch and who knows, may be some day, you will find Messi playing for Wigan Athletic under the often under-rated Roberto Martinez.