Following the decision of Thiago Alcantara to join Bayern Munich instead of Manchester United, it seems quite evident that the Premier League is struggling to become the favourite destination of top talents.
The current summer transfer window has been quite an active one from the word go. The likes of James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Mario Gotze and so many other big guns, have sought new pastures. While leagues such as the Spanish La Liga, German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1 have become busy in editing the transfer log on a regular basis, clubs in English Premier League can only look at their preferred players decide not to come to England with a forlorn expression.
Although it proclaims itself to be the best and the most competitive league in the world, English Premier League is definitely struggling to attract all the Falcaos, Cavanis, Gotzes and so many other players.
However, that is not really a new case considering the fact that in past, fans of English football have never had the chance to be graced by the presence of the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, Paolo Maldini and so many other legends of the game.
Despite boasting the biggest viewership on the planet and excellent salaries, immensely talented players rarely choose to play in an English outfit. This case has been more obvious this summer. For instance, James Rodriguez was reportedly a top priority target for Manchester United during his Porto days. Instead, the young Colombian became part of the latest footballing project that is AS Monaco. Joao Moutinho was on the verge of joining Tottenham a few months back but is going to continue being Rodriguez’s teammate.
Napoli striker Edinson Cavani was hotly linked with Chelsea and Manchester City but could join Paris Saint-Germain any time now. Gonzalo Higuain was also hotly linked with a move to Arsenal but it appears that he will stay at Real Madrid for another season. Younes Belhanda, a player who was linked with three or four Premier League outfit, is now going to play for Dynamo Kiev from next season.
Robert Lewandowski was United’s top target a few months back but it now appears that he will run out his contract at Borussia Dortmund before joining Bayern Munich. And only yesterday, Thiago Alcantara summed up Premier League’s loss in appeal by choosing to join Bayern Munich instead of Manchester United.
Another trend that is being noticed is that current stalwarts in Premier League are also itching for moves elsewhere. In past, the likes of Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo left England for Spain and it appears that the Liveprool star Luis Suarez may also follow suit in the near future.
Back in 2009, English Premier League lost perhaps its best player in the shape of Ronaldo. Before that, Thierry Henry left for Barcelona. As things stand today, the league might lose out on a few gems again which is quite a disturbing fact.
In the past two years, English Premier League clubs have not been very competitive in the Champions League which could be one of the reasons why immensely talented players choose to go to Spain or Germany where they have more chances of European glory.
If a club as big as Manchester United and as rich as Manchester City or Chelsea is being snubbed by foreign targets, it means that there is definitely something wrong with the league. A lot of reasons can be attributed to this, such as European misadventures, over-stretched seasons and to some extent, a club-bearing media.
In short, the dealings this summer transfer window should serve as an eye opener for all the big clubs in the league and it is about time that they reassess their current status if they are to attract the best of the best.
Although it proclaims itself to be the best and the most competitive league in the world, English Premier League is definitely struggling to attract all the Falcaos, Cavanis, Gotzes and so many other players.
However, that is not really a new case considering the fact that in past, fans of English football have never had the chance to be graced by the presence of the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, Paolo Maldini and so many other legends of the game.
Despite boasting the biggest viewership on the planet and excellent salaries, immensely talented players rarely choose to play in an English outfit. This case has been more obvious this summer. For instance, James Rodriguez was reportedly a top priority target for Manchester United during his Porto days. Instead, the young Colombian became part of the latest footballing project that is AS Monaco. Joao Moutinho was on the verge of joining Tottenham a few months back but is going to continue being Rodriguez’s teammate.
Napoli striker Edinson Cavani was hotly linked with Chelsea and Manchester City but could join Paris Saint-Germain any time now. Gonzalo Higuain was also hotly linked with a move to Arsenal but it appears that he will stay at Real Madrid for another season. Younes Belhanda, a player who was linked with three or four Premier League outfit, is now going to play for Dynamo Kiev from next season.
Robert Lewandowski was United’s top target a few months back but it now appears that he will run out his contract at Borussia Dortmund before joining Bayern Munich. And only yesterday, Thiago Alcantara summed up Premier League’s loss in appeal by choosing to join Bayern Munich instead of Manchester United.
Another trend that is being noticed is that current stalwarts in Premier League are also itching for moves elsewhere. In past, the likes of Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo left England for Spain and it appears that the Liveprool star Luis Suarez may also follow suit in the near future.
Back in 2009, English Premier League lost perhaps its best player in the shape of Ronaldo. Before that, Thierry Henry left for Barcelona. As things stand today, the league might lose out on a few gems again which is quite a disturbing fact.
In the past two years, English Premier League clubs have not been very competitive in the Champions League which could be one of the reasons why immensely talented players choose to go to Spain or Germany where they have more chances of European glory.
If a club as big as Manchester United and as rich as Manchester City or Chelsea is being snubbed by foreign targets, it means that there is definitely something wrong with the league. A lot of reasons can be attributed to this, such as European misadventures, over-stretched seasons and to some extent, a club-bearing media.
In short, the dealings this summer transfer window should serve as an eye opener for all the big clubs in the league and it is about time that they reassess their current status if they are to attract the best of the best.
