Plans for a Premier League All-Star game may be on the cards. Earlier this month, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly received a backlash when he suggested bringing an All-Star Game to England’s top flight. Critics accused the businessman of Americanizing the Premier League.
“Ultimately, I hope the Premier League learns a little bit of a lesson from American sports,” Boehly told a conference in New York. “People are talking about more money for the pyramid; MLB made its all-star game in Los Angeles this year. We made $200 million between a Monday and a Tuesday.”
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp quickly rejected Boehly’s suggestion. “When you find an appointment for that, you can call me,” Klopp said. “In American sports, these players get four-month breaks. Do you also want to bring the Harlem Globetrotters?
Klopp also suggested that many fans would not want to see their favorite players alongside their rivals. “I’m not sure people want to see that: United players, Liverpool players, Manchester City players, Everton players, all together.”
Is the Premier League All-Star game moving forward?
However, The Times has reported that Boehly’s wishes could come true. While initial thoughts were for the All-Star game to feature every Premier League player, the potential format could be a bit different.
The report claims that a Premier League XI will possibly face an All-Star team from the Bundesliga, LaLiga, Serie A etc. These matches, if scheduled, would be held around the world in an attempt to grow the sport in certain areas.
Perhaps the biggest concern for the Premier League on this issue would be schedule congestion. The upcoming World Cup in Qatar has already forced clubs to squeeze matches into a tight time frame. A recent study has even shown that Premier League players are already suffering from more injuries than ever before.
It has been suggested that these All-Star Games would be played in the summer months or during the winter break. Basically, this would reduce the recovery time of the players.
PHOTO: IMAGO/PA Images
