I live in the USA, but the reason I became a Liverpool supporter was the first time I saw Robbie Fowler play; After the 1994 World Cup in USA, I decided to get involved watching more football and watched Fowler scored a hat-trick against Arsenal in 4' 33". I was hooked on the player, but ended up falling in love with the club.
Since that time, I have also fallen in love with the game of football itself, and with watching the Premiership, week in and week out, with the drama and stories of the players, rivalries and clubs; It is an amazing game and an amazing league. The internet and expansion of cable TV coverage has made it simple for me to be as informed and see as many matches as any supporter, anywhere in the world. But I am troubled; Putting my supporting interest aside, I think this summer heralds the end of an era for the Premiership.
Although it seems unlikely, if the league loses Lampard, Adebayor, Drogba and Ronaldo this summer, I think that it will be clear that the Premiership has lost its superiority; Following a year when 3 of the final 4 in the Champions League were English, and when two teams from the Premiership competed in the final, it seems that the League has reached the zenith of quality. But to see so many players probably leaving, and to see so few willing to come (Kaka a no, Villa a probable no, etc), I am wondering if the shine is gone from the league?
I understand that the game goes on, that clubs and the Premiership are bigger than the players who wear the shirts, but if the Premiership continues to lose players like these, I think it is a big loss for the game in England. It's probably good for Liverpool, but it will hurt the game... what does it say about the league?
Since that time, I have also fallen in love with the game of football itself, and with watching the Premiership, week in and week out, with the drama and stories of the players, rivalries and clubs; It is an amazing game and an amazing league. The internet and expansion of cable TV coverage has made it simple for me to be as informed and see as many matches as any supporter, anywhere in the world. But I am troubled; Putting my supporting interest aside, I think this summer heralds the end of an era for the Premiership.
Although it seems unlikely, if the league loses Lampard, Adebayor, Drogba and Ronaldo this summer, I think that it will be clear that the Premiership has lost its superiority; Following a year when 3 of the final 4 in the Champions League were English, and when two teams from the Premiership competed in the final, it seems that the League has reached the zenith of quality. But to see so many players probably leaving, and to see so few willing to come (Kaka a no, Villa a probable no, etc), I am wondering if the shine is gone from the league?
I understand that the game goes on, that clubs and the Premiership are bigger than the players who wear the shirts, but if the Premiership continues to lose players like these, I think it is a big loss for the game in England. It's probably good for Liverpool, but it will hurt the game... what does it say about the league?
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