A team comprised of a combined Premier League XI could take on similar ensembles from Europe’s top domestic competitions as plans for all-star games continue to pick up traction among football executives.
Borrowed from American sports, the concept of a Premier League all-star game has recently been floated by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly who proposed a north vs south game as a way to draw large audiences overseas.
Boehly’s suggestions proved controversial, highlighting the contrast in opinions on importing a distinctly American aspect of the sport into the beautiful game.
Premier League chiefs are considering staging all-star games with a combined Premier League XI just weeks after Chelsea boss Todd Boehly endorsed a similar concept
However, according to a report from The Times, despite the heavy criticism directed towards the Chelsea owner, proposals for an all-star game have continued to garner momentum across Premier League chiefs.
The report suggests that the most likely incarnation of the concept would take the form of a combined Premier League team that would take on counterparts from other top European leagues.
Such games would not be staged during the Premier League season, and instead would take place during breaks to allow sport to be showcased in front of developing markets around the world.
The MLS hosts a yearly All-Star game that sees representative team take on their counterparts from the Mexican Liga MX
A similar concept is currently implemented in the MLS, with a representative team of players from the American top flight facing off against a team made up of players from Mexico’s Liga MX.
The most recent MLS All-Star game saw the American team run out 2-1 winner against their Mexican counterparts, with former Arsenal player Carlos Vela scoring the opening goal at the Allianz Field.
Adding additional games on top of the already congested fixture list would provide an opportunity to secure additional revenue from TV companies, but is unlikely to be favoured by Premier League managers, particularly those whose teams compete in European competitions.
Premier League chiefs reportedly believe that the All-Star concept would help grow the sport in developing markets
Despite this, not all reactions to the concept of an all-star game from leading figures in football have been resoundingly negative.
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard, explained his view from the perspective of an active player.
‘From a personal point of view, I’d love to see it. I would’ve loved to have played in it [the Premier League All-Star game].’
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on the other hand has long opposed initiatives designed to add any more fixtures to the footballing calendar.
Asked about Boehly’s proposals following Liverpool’s Champions League win over Ajax the German manager professed his confusion at the logistics of the idea.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wasn’t too impressed by Boehly’s suggestion that the Premier League should stage a ‘North vs South All-Star Game’
‘He forgets that in the big sports in America, these players have four-month breaks and they are quite happy they can do a little bit of sport in these breaks. It is completely different in football.
‘What can I say? Does he want to bring the Harlem Globetrotters as well and let them play against a football team?
‘I am surprised by the question so please don’t judge my answers too much. Maybe he can explain it to me at one point and find a proper date.’
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