After Chelsea’s American owner Todd Boehly made his case for a North vs. South ‘All-Star’ game for the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp laughed off the suggestion.
Speaking at the SALT Conference in New York on Tuesday, as quoted by ESPN, Boehly, whose consortium sealed the acquisition of Chelsea earlier this summer, floated his idea of an ‘All-Star’ game.
“Ultimately, I hope the Premier League learns a little bit of the lesson from American sports and really starts to realize why we wouldn’t do a tournament with the bottom four teams, why isn’t there an all-star game?” . he said.
“People are talking about more money for the pyramid: MLB held its All-Star Game in Los Angeles this year, we made $200 million between a Monday and a Tuesday.
“You could do an all-star North vs South game for the Premier League to fund what the pyramid needed very easily.”
While there is virtue in his scheme – if, of course, it was designed with the benefit of the wider English footballing pyramid in mind – the logistics are far more problematic.
The issues are wide and varied, although, for Klopp, the biggest is simply where the game would fit in the schedule.
#?????? it has a bit of everything. #ChelseaFC Chairman Todd Boehly provides a fascinating insight into his global vision for the English Premier League club. pic.twitter.com/wa9aBHuGKe
– SALT ?? (@SALTConference) September 13, 2022
“He doesn’t hesitate, huh? He doesn’t expect much!” he said when told of Boehly’s comments during his post-Ajax press conference.
“Great, when you find an appointment for that you can call me.
“Forget that in the big sports in America these players get four-month breaks, so they’re pretty happy to be able to do a little bit of sport on these breaks.
“It is completely different in football.
“What can I say? You want to bring in the Harlem Globetrotters too and have them play a football team?
“I’m surprised by the question, so please don’t judge my answers too much. But maybe you can explain it to me at some point and find a suitable date.
“I’m not sure if people want to see that. Imagine that: United players, Liverpool players, Everton players, all together in one team.
“It’s not the national team, it’s just north against south… interesting game!
“All the London guys together, Arsenal, Tottenham, great. Did she really say it? Interesting!”
That’s putting it lightly, Jürgen!
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