It is quite shocking that a new TV rights deal for the Premier League will take effect from 2019, a fact not lost on the rest of the European leagues. The new TV rights, a multi-billion pound deal could be decided as early as next week.
As it stands, England is the destination for players that want the spotlight, wages, razzmatazz their talents deserve. The spending power of English teams is unprecedented and it will only get bigger. The fact that Manchester City is topping the league by a mammoth 16 points is evidence of how good The Citizens have been this season under Pep Guardiola where they have defied beliefs of even best football betting guides. However, one naturally would expect the top teams to strengthen adequately next term in a bid to compete for the title. And there’s Arsenal who keep recording impressive figures despite having not won the League for over a decade.
Manchester City has practically won the league given that they have played the best football, scored the most goals, have an insanely talented team and have almost the best manager in the world. No Bueno!
However, the new TV rights which will be shared equally among all 20 EPL teams, means that smaller teams like Burnley and co have the financial clout to compete for the same players. Here are 3 reasons I believe the Premier League is way above the rest of the leagues in Europe.
Winning the Premier League is quite difficult. It’s not just about buying players, it’s also what you do with them (Wenger take note). Retaining the title is even more herculean.
While City practically have the title stashed away this season, this time next season may see them mired in a top 4 battle. The smaller teams are catching up with the biggest teams and no longer cower in fear. Giant killers, I tell you!
Burnley flirted with the Top 4 for brief periods this term before ultimately tiring out. Sean Dyche’s men may find it easier next term as they have the finances to attract better players. The competition, drama, upsets and unpredictability of the league makes it a fan favourite and the most watched in the world.
It is widely known that for a player to get the attention and spotlight, he must play in the Premier League. Former West Ham player, Dimitri Payet was always known as a gifted player prior to his move to the East London outfit, but he received new levels of adulation when he played for The Hammers. Players who play well are the subject of new levels of celebrity status given the football culture of the country.
Past players in the league became household names in the world by plying their trade in the PL, and the new TV rights ensure that the smaller clubs can get players they ordinarily won’t be able to attract. These players will be desperate to showcase what they are capable of week in, week out with the added attention on their performances, either good or bad.
The TV rights mean that more quality players will be attracted to the prospect of playing in the league as the wages on offer are astronomical. The quality of players in the league on the average is ever improving, as the likes of Southampton, Everton and Leicester can boast of players who won’t look out of place in any top 6 side. Southampton have Mario Lemina, whose last club was Juventus. Watford can boast of Gerard Deulofeu, who at the beginning of the season was playing for Barcelona and Leicester have Wilfred Ndidi, the player with the most interceptions in all of Europe.
The other leagues have a huge concentration of the best players at the top teams, but the English Premier League is more open, and this is thanks to the TV rights, that has ensured that any team that wins the competition must play well from week 1 to 38.