Comments on: Premier League All-Stars Game – Good or Bad?

By: Drew

Drew — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:53:39 +0000

I’m a big fan of the NBA, as well as being a die hard united fan, so maybe I could cast some light on some of systems they use in their mid-season extravaganza.

Firstly, the venue of the All-Star Weekend is changed every year, giving the opportunity of tourism and revenue to a new city each season. This year it was New Orleans, where a lot of effort was put in by the NBA to aid the rejuvenation of the city most affected by hurricane Katrina. The host city also tend to make a big deal of the legends who made their teams, I see this as being a cross-over opportunity if this were to be adapted.

There are several events on the Friday and Saturday before the conclusion of the weekend with the All-Star Game itself on Sunday night. The rookie challenge (which pits first year players against second year players), the skills challenge (a timed obstacle course), Shooting stars (A shooting competition comprising teams of existing players, legends and celebrities) Three point shootout and Slam Dunk Contest.

I would like to think that if a Premier League All-Star Game were to happen, some kind of skills based competitions could also happen, adding to the fans’ enjoyment.

As far as selection goes, a worldwide voting process occurs to select the starters, 5 players from the Eastern and Western Conferences. The reserves (subs) are selected from a ballot from the leagues head coaches, who cannot vote for their own players. The teams are coached by the head coaches of the teams with the best records in the respective conferences.

The biggest element I can take from this model is the element of fun. Tricks come out, players are far more brash and willing to express themselves through their skills than in a regular season game. If an EPL ASG were to happen I would want to see tricks galore!

I agree that if this were to happen it would have to be pre-season, due to fixture congestion, but good luck convincing Blatter.

Maybe when we have a FIFA president who isn’t senile he may be open to new opportunities.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:29:11 +0000

Regarding post no.4, it is nothing like game 39 because it will have no consequence to the Premier League standings and it will not be played abroad.

I like the North vs South All Stars replacing the Community Shield idea. The Americans do it through a vote system, so we could have the PFA vote for the best players from last season (perhaps the public get to vote for 1 player of the team). And invite 2 coaches from the 20 clubs to coach either side.

The benefits for the players involved is that they get some pre-season time on the pitch (generally no more than 45 minutes), plus their egos get another unnecessary boost.

The important points to remember is to not take it too seriously and it is all for charity.

By: BD Condell

BD Condell — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:54:48 +0000

As a fan its a great idea but I agree with Arsenal, it would be nightmare to organise. Firstly, no one would want ownership: the clubs think players already give-up too much time to internationals and there is the risk of injury. FIFA/UEFA wouldn’t want it as there is already fixture congestion and big challenges with the amount of competitions. Players wouldn’t want it if it interferes with holidays and pre season commitments.
So who would ‘own’ it. Without a committed owner it definitely won’t happen.
The other problem would be that clubs would pull all the big name players out.

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 04:52:44 +0000

Building on what PeeJay said – they could milk it by paying each footballer 1m as participation fee and promote the hell out the fixture. Do it before the season starts though – mid season or end of season will be too much.

By: PeeJay

PeeJay — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:57:36 +0000

An optional all-star summer tournament between every European country’s All-star XI would be a good idea and quite fair aswell considering how many big players would decline to play.

By: FrankF27

FrankF27 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:35:38 +0000

Arsenal (post number 7) I don’t really think it would be a big problem although it would be hard to do. But I think that so there is no bias it could be made by having each player of every team in the league choose their A-S team, BUT they cannot choose from themselves nor a player from their team.

And the intention of the A-S game would not be to see the “best team the league can produce” (my opinion) but to enjoy games that otherwise could never be seen and player play together to represent the country the play in.

By: FrankF27

FrankF27 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:28:37 +0000

I think it is a very good idea but as said in the article. It is one thing to like the idea but an entire other to make it happen. And about the money problem your idea is very good (about charity). I think it would be great to have a “mini” tournament with the All-Star teams from the top 4 countries of the previous Champions League having a draw and starting from semis and then the final. The country winner HAS to give the money to a charity of their choice.

e.g. Serie A XI vs La Liga XI
Premier League XI vs Bundesliga XI

Winners play against each other and winner gets the money.

What do you think?

Probably it would be nearly imposible to make something like that happen but it would be really awesome!

By: Arsenal

Arsenal — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:25:59 +0000

However i must say it wont be easy to organise.
Who shall be the manager? Will he pick a bias squad?
Team kit – Nike, Adidas?
And when top players like Ronaldo in midst of a transfer should he play for the EPL All Star?

And last of all an All-Star team does not = to the best team the league can produce.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:56:21 +0000

I think it’s a great idea, and maybe they can sell it by having part of the proceeds to a charity of the respective football association’s choice. Would love to see an EPL vs. Bundesliga/La Liga match, as well as an EPL North v. South matchup. I can’t believe that this opportunity to make more money hasn’t been already developed. . .

By: GT

GT — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:51:08 +0000

Rob, great idea. Would love to see something like that happen… And the shirts would be amazing too