sportskeeda
The idea of a European Super League has made a comeback for a specific reason.
Furthermore, the wealthiest clubs in England are not keen on stepping away from this concept.
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The reason is evident: Manchester United 0 Bournemouth 3.
The staggering fact that a so-called ‘smaller’ club in the Premier League can easily overpower England’s largest club on its home turf—not just once, but for two consecutive seasons—demonstrates that anything can happen in the wealthiest domestic league worldwide.
Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, and Fulham were promoted together in 2022, and they all currently find themselves in the upper half of the standings due to their financial resources and intelligent team management that enables them to construct squads with at least two dependable players for every position.
Brighton and Brentford also sit above United as we near the midpoint of the season.
This challenges the common narrative of the ‘rich getting richer while the poor get poorer’ in the Premier League. In this league, there are no impoverished teams.
Real Madrid and Barcelona—who back the latest Super League initiative—feel intense envy towards the Premier League because it is simply remarkable.
United and other traditional English powerhouses are enticed by a super league, primarily because they can no longer secure their place in European competitions— it would also generate more income and help distance them from the rising clubs that efficiently manage their resources.
On Sunday, I returned after a seven-hour flight from the Middle East, during which five Premier League matches unfolded.
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Two results, in particular— Tottenham 3 Liverpool 6 and Bournemouth’s recent win against United—brought joy to my face.
Yet, these outcomes are no longer surprising.
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Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have not experienced what would once be coined a traditional, predictable outcome in any domestic match since their 3-1 win over Brentford on September 21.
Perhaps their 4-1 victory against West Ham in October could be classified as such—but even that was the dismantling of a local rival, filled with a comeback, a red card, and a massive brawl.
And Spurs are not alone in this regard.
A few weeks ago, I half-jokingly suggested there might not be Champions League football in Manchester next season for the first time in 30 years.
Now, that statement seems anything but comedic. In fact, it appears increasingly likely.
City’s sharp decline—one victory against nine defeats across all competitions—has been examined closely.
Nevertheless, if Real, Barcelona, or any other major European club faced similar challenges to Pep Guardiola’s squad—like key injuries and an aging team—the fallout would not have been as severe as what City has suffered, as they would have managed easier wins along the way.
These victories could have staved off the total collapse of confidence that City has faced.
Instead, City found themselves defeated by Bournemouth and Brighton and settled for a draw with Crystal Palace— because these teams are genuinely talented.
Before City’s dismal stretch, they secured narrow victories against Fulham, Wolves, and Southampton.
In fact, Fulham had a better ‘expected goals’ figure than City during their match at the Etihad. It took a controversial last-minute goal to edge past Wolves.
Guardiola lightened the moment by praising Russell Martin’s Saints after City’s narrow win.
Pep wasn’t being sarcastic; he was sincere.
He recognized that even the team at the bottom could provide a formidable challenge to the champions.
Even City’s recent struggles were not an unforeseen drop; it was on the cards—because the Premier League is incredibly captivating.
United’s difficulties have lingered for over a decade, yet the depths of this decline could not be replicated by the wealthiest clubs in Spain, Germany, Italy, or France.
Across 55 league matches since last season commenced, United’s goal difference stands at -2.
Previously, the leading clubs in England were somewhat insulated from these failures due to Champions League earnings, creating a significant wealth gap over the smaller clubs.
This cushioning has diminished. The financial muscle and competitiveness of the Premier League now require a more substantial buffer for the largest clubs to shield themselves from their liabilities.
In other major European leagues, that cushion remains prevalent. However, Real, Barca, and other continental heavyweights recognize that as global interest in the Premier League rises, its unpredictability becomes astonishing.
As a result, yet another fictitious super league is being proposed.
This latest endeavor is whimsically dubbed the Unify League because a name like ‘Disrupt Everything League’ would be too overt; it will purportedly be merit-based with promotion and relegation, lacking automatic membership for the elite.
This concept appears more acceptable than the previous imaginary European Super League, to which England’s former ‘Big Six’ were aligned.
The 96-team Unify League would encompass a Star League, a Gold League, a Blue League, and a Union League—making it sound like a scheme invented by a bored ten-year-old in his bedroom.
Still, it boasts backing from Real chief Florentino Perez, certainly more influential than a young boy daydreaming in his room.
This initiative arises from anxiety and jealousy among those who cannot accept that the Premier League is simply extraordinary.
At some point, whether in this decade or the next, one of these fanciful European super leagues—perhaps a global league with the Saudis and other entities—will indeed emerge.
For now, let’s enjoy Tottenham’s unpredictable results, savor City’s struggles, and acknowledge United’s protracted crisis. Because the Premier League, in its current brilliance, is too fascinating to overlook indefinitely.
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