Did you believe that Bukayo Saka or the current Ballon d’Or winner possesses 'star quality'? As though it makes a difference regardless...
‘Is the Premier League experiencing a shortage of superstars?’ is an opening line from Sam Wallace in the Daily Telegraph that stems entirely from the absurd situation of the international break concluding with an FA Cup weekend lacking any of England's most popular clubs.
You realize you are drifting into middle age when you begin to ponder where all the true superstars have disappeared to; wasn’t it more enjoyable when you could leave your door unlocked, men were men, women were something unspecified, and the Premier League overflowed with star talent? The issue? It never truly was.
In the latest Forbes ranking of the top-earning athletes in 2024, which generally aligns with the most renowned players globally, the Premier League features three individuals: Erling Haaland, Mo Salah, and Kevin De Bruyne.
In 2020, the Premier League featured three players (Salah, Paul Pogba, and David De Gea).
In 2015, the Premier League featured two players (Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero).
In 2010, the Premier League was represented by three players (Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Steven Gerrard).
In 2005, the Premier League featured a single representative (Thierry Henry).
It seems as though the Premier League has never been filled with superstars, yet some people adore getting nostalgically teary-eyed over golden days that never actually occurred.
For an even more straightforward metric, keep in mind that no Premier League player had secured the Ballon d’Or for 16 years until Rodri ignited a flood of Madrid-centered p*** last year.
The Premier League has the ability to develop superstars – with Cristiano Ronaldo and Salah being key examples – yet it does not typically acquire superstars at their prime. Paul Pogba is likely the outlier in recent years, and indeed, let this serve as a sobering reminder to everyone.
The essential idea is that the Premier League has never required the signing of superstars; no English club has brought in a Zidane, a Messi, a Neymar, an Mbappe, or a Ronaldinho. This is not a recent occurrence. Henry wasn’t acquired as a superstar; Aguero wasn’t acquired as a superstar; De Bruyne wasn’t acquired as a superstar.
One could say that Manchester United has acquired superstars like Ronaldo (in his second stint) and Zlatan, but let’s not act as if that is remotely similar to signing peak Mbappé or Jude Bellingham.
However, Wallace is definite in One in the Telegraph – with the title ‘The Premier League lacks star appeal outside of Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland’ – stating: ‘Every performance requires its leading acts. As Kevin De Bruyne approaches retirement, Harry Kane is outside the Premier League and Jude Bellingham has never played a minute in it – who will represent the league beyond Haaland and Salah?
Have you maybe heard of Bukayo Saka? Or perhaps Cole Palmer? Bruno Fernandes? Or the current Ballon d’Or recipient, Rodri?
Wallace references those players and quickly discounts them; their injuries, notably Rodri and Saka, seem to exclude them, as true superstars likely never face such issues.
The entire argument is completely misguided because a) the Premier League typically does not acquire superstars and b) the Premier League does not genuinely require signing superstars. This season has been really awful, but the Premier League is flourishing in revenue and in Europe, despite Wallace's efforts to make a possible ‘second straight season without a Premier League team in the Champions League's last four’ a significant issue.
“‘Is it necessary for the Premier League to have the globe’s most renowned players?’ inquires Wallace, who nearly concludes that it might not, yet ultimately expresses succinctly: ‘However, the film, so to say, still needs its leading personalities.’”
Not when the film shows in packed theaters every week, Sam.
Thank goodness a Premier League brimming with total unknowns comes back (including Saka) on Tuesday night…
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