The decision for the elite of English football to breakaway and form an entire new super league was met with much derision and scepticism but 19 years on and the decision has all but answered and shut up every single doubter.
In the last 10 years the Barclays Premier league has become the most dominant and passionate league in Europe. It has created moments that will never be forgotten in the game, it has had as much, if not more, romance than any song or film can describe or portray and has produced so much drama, Bruce Willis would struggle to compete. It has also played host to some of the biggest and best talents in world football and has turned out some of the greatest football matches ever.
Who could ever forget moments like Arsenal’s unbeaten season or the amazing demise of Leeds United, a onetime Champions league club, not to mention Manchester United knocking Liverpool of their f***king perch. Who could ever forget legends like Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Tony Adams or the great and ever continuing Ryan Giggs who has seen and experienced it all. Who could ever forget some of the great foreign names to grace and even make their name in this wonderful league like, Eric Cantona, David Ginola, Roy Keane or more recently Thierry Henry
The matches haven’t been bad either. Some consider Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 win over Newcastle as the best of all time but the 2009 Manchester derby settled by Michael Owen’s late winner was a match for the purists but there have been so many great, great matches it is hard put it all into context and order.
For all the wonderful players to have graced this league it should be said that it has also made its fair share of great players. Who could ever forget Wayne Rooney announcing himself on the big stage as a 16 year old for Everton scoring the winner against the irresistible Arsenal and then scoring a hat trick on his Manchester United debut. The rise and progression of Cesc Fabregas to become the premier league’s new Paul Scholes or the league’s biggest developer, Cristiano Ronaldo who quickly cemented legend like status as possibly the best player to play in the Premiership.
Some of the changes that have been made since its interception have also been astonishing, the main one being the rise of the foreign owner. Roman Abramovich’s transformation of Chelsea turning them from title pretenders to league winners while Manchester City look to attempt a similar blueprint backed by the wealth of Arab money.
While the Premier league has been extraordinary, it should be said that football in general over the last 10 years has been mind blowing, providing moments that are breath taking to the human eye. Liverpool’s stunning win over AC Milan in the 2005 Champions league final after being down 3-0 at half time seemed to sum up the decade in all its unpredictable but dreamy glory. Ronaldinho came and conquered all in his path before capitulating as did Ronaldo while talents such as Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres turned from raw ingredients into the most magnificent dishes the ever changing restaurant of football has to offer.
A moment should also be remembered for the loss of the great but controversial George best who was part of the holy trinity at Manchester United and was the most enigmatic symbol of the Busby babes and of course the passing of the great Sir Bobby Robson who will be forever remembered as the most football passionate man of this generation and possibly any other.
Sky sports should also be given a mention in regard to the grandness of the Premier league as they were a huge influence in the forming of it. They have brought us the best moments and allowed viewers to follow a running narrative as epic and exciting as any soap could be with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster.
It’s hard to put into words just how great the premier league and just football in general has been over the last 10 years. Amazing doesn’t begin to tell the whole story but one thing is for sure. Judging by this decade, the next one should be as every bit exciting. Here's to the next 10 years.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment