The English Premier League’s inception over 20 years ago was made possible because of money. It has managed to become the most popular and most watched league in the world, because of money.
Some of the best players in the world have joined the top clubs in England because of, you guessed it, money.
New ownerships and TV rights have allowed all clubs across the first division to strengthen their squads promote their name across the world. While this is all good and well, the amount of money being spent in the transfer window is damaging clubs’ potential success, especially in the Champions League.
Just last week, on the exact same day, Manchester City signed Kyle Walker for $65 million and AC Milan miraculously were able to obtain the signature of the best centre back in the world in Leonardo Bonucci for $45 million.
The transfer market has officially gone mad, but the Premier League has allowed it to become that way.
Using Manchester City as an example, they have kept spending unnecessary millions on players that are particularly average such as John Stones ($62 million), Eliaquim Mangala ($41 million) and Raheem Sterling ($64 million).
They are a club who thinks that throwing money everywhere for fun will solve the problem and help win important trophies such as the Champions League. Well that hasn’t worked. There has been no plan put in place for the future.
Last year, Manchester United spent nearly $300 million for reinforcements such as Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but played unattractive football which led them to finishing sixth in the league. Instead of spending $105 million on Paul Pogba, United should have used that money for multiple other players to build a better squad.
(Supplied)
Its the same story for Liverpool. They have spent way over the top for strikers that have turned out to be flops such as Andy Carroll ($46 million) and Christian Benteke ($42 million), and they are on the verge of signing an unproved defender Virgil Van Dijk for around $70 million.
Everyone knows that Liverpool’s main problem has been the backline, so that money should have been better spent on a goalkeeper, a left back and a couple of high quality centre backs.
Juventus is a great example for Premier League teams to follow for building a team without needing a massive budget. They were able to sign some quality free agents such as Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Dani Alves and Sami Khedira which has helped them achieve six league titles in a row and have reached two Champions League finals.
Their scouting system has proven to be a success, the most obvious big signing being Paulo Dybala for $47 million which is now seen as a bargain. Manchester City turned down the chance to sign him in favour of another flop in Wilfried Bony. Just let that sink in.
Even AC Milan are proving to build a solid team with the same budget as the big clubs in England. Some of the signings haven’t really caught the eye of everyone, but they have put a transfer strategy into place with the right scouting network in order to bring the club back up.
Since 2009, both Manchester clubs have spent a combined $2.3 billion on players alone, but it has come without any success in the Champions League.
It shows that football is not all about money to succeed. There are many other ways in building a team to reach the top.
Spending money is what has to be done in the modern game in order to reach certain goals and objectives, but the Premier League goes way overboard and just throw money down the drain. The huge price tags are also the reason why potential superstars have flopped because of the pressure and expectations put on them.
Kyle Walker ($65 million)….Leonardo Bonucci ($45 million)
It sums it all up.
Angus
Roar Rookie
All a bit ridiculous really and the chances of another Leicester City underdog story in the EPL gets smaller each year as only the big five or six clubs can compete. No hope for the others really, and as an Aston Villa fan, will never get to see the club I support re-live their glory days all because of money. Championship sides have no hope, genuinely feel for this supporters who put so much time and effort into the smaller clubs that actually share a passion for the game, not as a business. The EPL does the whole transfer business all wrong and is ruining it for so many.
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
I said they what separates bonucci from the rest is his passing ability Bonucci's passing accuracy in the past 5 seasons has averaged 88% Bonucci has completed the most successful long balls in europes top 5 leagues (1032) Juventus conceded 2 goals in the UCL before the final... He was Antonio Conte's first choice to lead them back to the top when he first came in Do you really think Ramos is better than Bonucci when he has accumulated 22 red cards in his career?? But again, if you actually watched football you'd know Bonucci can defend better than Ramos
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Cristian Montegan Yet again running away from arguments which tear his theories to shreds
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Christian Montegan. This is how you make a statement and then back it up with statistics and valid arguments Instead you make blindly state an opinion as if it is really obvious to any football fan then write vague non-specific generalizing sentences as your arguments. "Pretty sure Bonucci is the best centre back in the world…" Well, you seemed pretty confident here as if it's obvious Bonucci is the best centre back by a country mile. Nice work pleb
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Yeah so Montella is just as clueless as myself. He knows nothing about football too (insert cute emoji)
Lachie Abbott
Roar Pro
Personally I would have Hummels, Boateng, Silva, Chiellini, Godin and Ramos ahead of him. I'll break down why: Godin: A much better aerial defender than Bonucci. He averages 3.1 aerials won per game compared to Bonucci who sits considerably lower at around 1.3 per game. While Bonucci may be more potent with the ball at his feet, in a centre back I don't look for that in particular and prefer the leadership of Godin, who is the commander of one of the best defensive teams in the world. Comparatively, Bonucci was led by Chiellini at Juventus. Godin also averages 4.4 clearances per game compared to Bonucci's 3.3 as well as more interceptions and tackles. Plus, according to Squaka, Godin averages 0 defensive errors per 90 minutes while Bonucci averages 0.1. Both elite, but Godin is better. Hummels: Both are ball-playing centre backs but Hummels is slightly ahead of him. Firstly, Hummels has a slightly higher passing accuracy than Bonucci, especially over short distance. For example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1APimNQ2Ec . Hummels would be able to make this delightful assist more often than Bonucci according to the stats. Hummels is also a vocal leader who captained Dortmund for many years. Former BvB coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was quoted as saying "He's a leader, a role model...and he can lead other players." Bonucci acted poorly with Allegri, arguing and unsettling the team. Hummels averages 1.52 tackles won per 90 minutes compared to Bonucci's 0.7. Also, Hummels averages 3.3 aerial duels won per game compared to the poor number of only 1.3 from Bonucci, giving the crucial air superiority to the German. Boateng: In terms of a purely physical skill set, Boateng is acres ahead of Bonucci. The German is strong enough to hold off opponents and give himself time to make a pass or clearance. Thus, Boateng averages 0 defensive errors per 90 minutes according to Squaka, compared to Bonucci's previously mentioned average of 0.10. Despite an injury-plauged year, Boateng also averaged a slightly higher passing accuracy compared to Bonucci. These passes also lead to more direct chances created as Boateng averaged double the amount of chances created per 90 minutes than Bonucci, with 0.68 compared to 0.34. Therefore, Boateng is also more efficient offensively than Bonucci, as well as being more potent defensively. Ramos: Sergio is a leader, which I haven't seen Bonucci ever be. As well as this, he scores the big goals. Champions League Finals seem like a casual kick for him. Bonucci's play is covered in the mystery of an offensive passing genius who picks out long balls like they are nothing. His Euro 2016 assist for example, leads us to believe he is the best attacking CB in the world. However, Sergio Ramos has an attack score of 11.94 compared to Bonucci's tiny 4.40. Bonucci's rating is also the lowest out of all the centre backs I am comparing to him. Ramos also has a higher passing accuracy (89.6% compared to 87.2%) and smashes Bonucci in the air, with 2.7 aerials won per game compared to 1.3. Additionally, Ramos has more interceptions, tackles won and successful take-ons than Bonucci. Chiellini: This guy is the true soul of the Juventus team as their captain alongside Buffon. More interceptions, tackles and clearances than Bonucci as well as dominating in the air. He is a much better pure defender compared to his national teammate in Bonucci. As well as this, he still hits a nice passing percentage at 87%, only 0.2% less than Bonucci who is perceived as a much better distributor. Thiago Silva: Silva is the best centre back in the world in my opinion. While the other centre backs I have compared have a Squaka total score in the 20's, Silva sits at a staggering 49.51. Silva is a fantastic ball playing centre back. He passes at an accuracy of 93.9% according to whoscored.com, with 0 errors leading to goals and an attacking score of almost double Bonucci. As a pure defender, Silva trumps Bonucci in total duel success (69% to 45.5%), clearances (4.15 to 3.48), blocks (0.45 to 0.89), fouls commited (0.52 to 0.93), aerial duels won (75% to 58%) tackles won (1.07 to 0.72) and defense rating (19.38 to 7.94). Plus, Silva is the leader of the biggest footballing nation in the world. Overall, Bonucci ranked last in Whoscored.com rating out of 10 at around 6.93. The argument could be made that many more centre backs are also better than him, such as David Luiz and Gerard Pique. Statistics were taken per 90 minutes. If you were wondering the answer is yes...I do have way too much time on my hands.
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
Just because he is a coach doesn't mean his view is right... You can't be regarded as a world class centre back for scoring 90th minute goals and getting 22 red cards. I'm talking about the actual defensive side of his game
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Yeah boy! Go Christian!
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Is Montella wrong when he rates Ramos as a world class defender? Or is he clueless like the rest of us
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Cristian Montegan? Are you oblivious to basic economics?
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Cristiano?
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
Hmmm well you seem to be taking this article seriously since you have time in your life to keep making comments ?
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Christiano?
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Clearly the manager of your favourite club doesn't know football as well if he rates Ramos as one of the strongest defenders....
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Also, not sure why Ramos' inclusion is so funny? And why you chose to use 'Ramos', is he called something else? His trophies and accolades speak for itself.
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
How do you define "best" by the way. Because you never define what is best? Is it clean sheets? Does it matter which league? Is it silverware? Is it performances in big matches? What is it?
Christian Montegan
Roar Pro
Bonucci is a great defender, but it's his presence on the ball that separates him from the rest...
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Righto Christiano. You must be right. Giorgio Chiellini. Jerome Boateng. Sergio Romas. Thiago Silva. Gerard Pique. Mat Hummels. Diego Godin?
platypusFC
Roar Rookie
Christiano? You really don't have an answer do you
Blake
Guest
It's been interesting reading all the posts but I do think the last post sums it up best..money is killing modern day football... but I think people forget football is a business and making money is the main objective ... I think everyone on here in ways have valid points ... Christian by saying English teams are over paying on playing (90%) but the other guys saying clubs have merchandised them selvesbetter and have earnt the money to spend how they wish... there was a comment about morata earlier saying is 70 million worth it for a player who spent his time on the bench... valid opinion but he is proven he can score in big games and remember he's been in the last two champions Final and the first being the man striker for his team scoring goals also the team he has gone to was brought by a manager who has him before so yes maybe a bit expensive but something I think will pay off... lukaku for 75 ?? Remember they've wanted A GR from athletico for more I have no doubt that lukaku is the better option need to remember he's proved himself throughout seasons he is consistent through different teams and in a league which a lot of people fail in when they come over.. I believe the problem you have is for the premiership to be the best league in the world where every years could be 1 of 6 teams that could win means our national team will struggle not fail but struggle because the attraction of imports to our league will hinder there growth and experience in Europe ... Kyle walker best example ... potential from young didn't do it but last few seasons been one of England's best .. been with Spurs long time over last two seasons Spurs been England's best team on average in the league but has now signed for a teams which in the last two years has finished beneath them ,and now Man City today signed a player in the same position for what 25mil .. so does that mean if walker plays a few games bad does he lose his place to Danilo and does that suffer for England ... was the same with sterling ... good start last season got injured , sane took his place and sterling wasn't seen for last 3 months and he's one of England young talents ... was the same with Jack Roswell years ago... might be wrong just my opionon.. to much money spent because they can but if we want the best league in the world I can't see I changing