Manchester clubs must get their act together next term
Now that the Premier League season is over, here are 10 things I would like to see when it all begins again – in just 86 days’ time
A title challenge from Manchester
Both Manchester clubs have had hugely disappointing seasons. Yes, City have played some wonderful football at times under Pep Guardiola and, yes, Jose Mourinho could end up with two trophies at Manchester United if they win the Europa League, but they were not brought in to finish 15 points (City) and a whopping 24 points (United), behind the champions, Chelsea. We started the season looking north, expecting a titanic battle between these two managers and their big-spending clubs, but it quickly fizzled out. City and United should be able to guarantee they are more competitive than this. It is hard to see a re-run next season being acceptable. years behind the top teams in Europe. What is even more curious is that they are led by some of the very best managers in world football – and still fail. Thirteen teams showing more ambition than merely to avoid relegation
This was the season in which the big teams, with the big budgets and the big names, reasserted themselves. After Leicester’s title triumph we hoped that the Premier League had changed forever, and that with a minimum £100million a year in broadcast revenues for each club it would be a more level playing field. Instead, it served as a wake-up call. Chelsea have more than double the points of eighthplaced Southampton, who finished 15 points behind seventh-placed Everton – and 30 points outside the top four. Only the top seven finished with a positive goal difference. It needs those below them to give it a go, although how can you reach for the stars when you are always looking over your shoulder to try to avoid the drop? Premier League clubs NOT spending money
The transfer window is about to open and already there is a clamour for clubs to spend big. That £8billion broadcast deal burns a hole in the pocket of even the most frugal owners. Clubs do not bat an eyelid at spending £10million, £20million for a squad player, and the rest of the world rubs its hands when the Premier League comes calling, while fans demand that more and more money is spent. At the same time, managers are the first to complain that they cannot compete against X, Y and Z because of the amount of money they spend. The merry-go-round continues.
All clubs should invest. Players are their biggest assets and are what fuels the game. But spending has got out of control and, at times, lazy. Youth being given a chance
It was a depressing tweet from West Ham co-chairman David Gold at the weekend when he wrote: “I think we all have to except (sic) that it is extremely unlikely that a teenager will break into a PL team full of seasoned international (sic)”. If an owner thinks like that, then what chance do we have of encouraging and developing young talent? There has to be a mix and it is the duty of every club to bring through young players and show there is a pathway from academy to first team. The argument that the cream always rises to the top is wrong – especially if there is an attitude preventing it. No whingeing about fixture congestion
And this is not just aimed at Jose Mourinho, even if the Manchester United manager has taken it to new levels this season. What all clubs and managers conveniently ignore is that it is their league. The Premier League is answerable to them and them only. They can organise the fixtures however they want. They do not have to simply go to the highest bidder for TV rights and then complain when their games are moved. The refrain that the league does not help them is nonsense. Has Mourinho gone to United’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, and asked Video technology to prove a success and then be rolled out quickly in the Premier League
Video Assistant Referees are to be used in the domestic cup competitions next season, ahead of introducing them in the Premier League for the following campaign. They are long overdue. An unfortunate new pastime has arisen – referee-baiting. The worst culprits are not the fans, the players or managers, but the pundits and the former referees, who pile in to condemn the mistakes made. The speed at which errors can be detected makes it even more ridiculous that VARS have not been brought in until now. Some say it will detract from the football and the ‘debate’ around it. It will not. It will stop the blame game against officials, so that we can concentrate on the football.