By Charles Lim
Every football fan must look at at least one of Europe’s top domestic leagues with great intensity to enjoy the football culture that is lacking in this Asian country. Football is, and no question about that, the number one sport in the entire world. Our American influence has made us basketball radicals; there is nothing wrong with that. Loving a sport is always admirable.
We worship the NBA stars and support our favorite local team. Compare this with a local Filipino football fan. He or she gets hook on not one or two but several European leagues all at once – Premier League (England), Bundesliga (Germany), Serie A (Italy), Ligie 1 (France) and La Liga (Spain). Apart from this, there is the Champions League and the European League for the top clubs in Europe.
Throughout my years of attending football tournaments and festivals for kids of all ages, I see they emulate their idols – Messi, Reynaldo, Kane, Beckham, Rooney, Salah, Sandro, Ramos and Neymar. The kids know more about the status of their favorite clubs, week by week, game by game.
From my days of schooling in Europe and embroiled in fanatical football campaigns in Asia, I can be considered a football zombie on weekends but I flip channels occasionally on match days to watch the F1, tennis, rugby and even cricket.
We are at two thirds gone in the English Premier League and if you recognize these clubs in the present top of the table – Manchester City, Manchester United, Leicester, West Ham (surprise! surprise!) and Chelsea, you are a regular. You may have to look further down if your favorite club happens to be Liverpool, Arsenal or Tottenham.
One can safely conclude that 2019/2020 champions, Liverpool may not be in a position to defend its title with a huge deficit of in points from current leaders, Manchester City. Unless there is a drastic and unimaginable loss of form, which I do not predict, City will comfortably clinch the EPL title which they lost to Liverpool last season. Running a far second at the moment is their neighbor and perennial rival, Manchester United.
Notably important to observe in the EPL is they allow as many as 17 foreign players in their club roster of 25. Of course, Manchester City is notoriously famous with its Emirati owner. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan pouring in millions and millions of sterling pounds each season to have the best players in the world. They have won the title twice in the last three seasons since 2017 and could make it three out of four if they win this year.
In spite of all this glory, I have yet to know of one true blooded English City fan who could match the club character, passion and culture of a fan from say, Liverpool. Chelsea, Arsenal or, of course, United. There is simply no comparison.
In terms of managers, the EPL has the most colorful and iconic names in the game from all over the world, especially from Europe. Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Jose Mourinho (Spurs), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United), Carlo Ancelotti (Everton) All have played in the major leagues in Europe won dozens of league titles all around the continent and have ventured into the EPL as a crowning glory for their achievements. Without a stint in the EPL, their careers would not be complete, putting it mildly.. Some have come back more than once like in the case of Jose Mourinho who was very successful as manager of Chelsea FC, not so successful in Manchester United and currently at Tottenham Hotspurs.
Watch out for two managers – fairly newcomers to the EPL this season – who have already made a difference to their clubs. Tomas Tuchei replaced Frank Lampard at Chelsea at a very crucial stage last year and has stabilized the club at fifth place today without a single loss. Argentinian manager, Marelo Bielsa brought old time great, Leeds United from the Championship tier to the Premier League and has so far maintained a credible spot at 11, far from the relegation zone.
However, the excitement is, without doubt, in the Spanish La Liga at this time. Any of the top three teams – Atl Madrid, Barcelona or Real Madrid – can emerge as Champions. More on the La Liga next.
Charles Lim is the founder and chairman of the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards. He has been an advocate of sports tourism since 2004 with the inception of the Sports Tourism Forum – a popular seminar workshop for those in the sports and the hospitality industry – which is presently still ongoing. He can be reached at charles.selrahco@gmail.com.
