Happy 25th birthday, dear Premier League.
I remember the day you were born and it truly does seem just like yesterday.
Through the Eric Cantona kicks, the Tony Yeboah volleys, Sergio Agggguuuueeeerrrrroooo moments and the pounds 50 million spent on Kyle Walker we’ve watched with an endless degree of wonder, fascination, appreciation and bewilderment as you’ve transmogrified into the behemoth you are.
Forgive me, however. I couldn’t think of anything to get you this year so I’m afraid money — a cheque? — shall have to suffice. It’s not quite pounds 196 million (222 million euros, Dh966 million) but there we are. I’ve heard on the terraces mind that you’re fair partial to a few quid.
Anyway, speaking of which, it may have been Messrs Walker, Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata who truly took the headlines with their big-money moves but what really struck me this close season were the lesser names — the provincial clubs — spending eye-watering sums.
Bournemouth paying pounds 20m for Nathan Ake from Chelsea? Huddersfield’s #11.5m for Steve Mounie from Montpellier? Or Swansea’s pounds 11m heading to Las Palmas in the Canary Islands in exchange for Roque Mesa?
It was only 21 years ago — July 30, 1996 to be exact — that Newcastle United smashed the world transfer record by paying #15m to Blackburn Rovers for hometown hero Alan Shearer.
And, trust me, I remember that. We thought that was a fortune of jaw-dropping proportions for a football player.
Here’s a little reminder though (Leeds United anyone?) - it doesn’t always work.
The 1992/93 Premier League table offers a fascinating insight into just how much England’s topflight has changed.
Manchester United, for the first time in 26 years, won the league. In what nowadays are the coveted Champions League spots of second to fourth were Aston Villa, Norwich City and then Blackburn Rovers. Fifth were Queens Park Rangers.
None of whom of course actually play in the Premier League anymore and, furthermore, you could be fairly confident in predicting that with the possible exception of a resurgent Aston Villa in the future, none of whom will ever finish in the top five of the Premier League ever again.
Liverpool, incidentally, were sixth in the inaugural season. Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea placed ninth, tenth and eleventh.
While the Premier League has evolved beyond almost all imagination what it has proved is that no matter how much is spent, it is the team that works.
It will be fascinating to see in his second season whether Pep Guardiola can properly blend the undoubted talents in attack with the defensive steel imperative to win in England. Fascinating to see how Chelsea cope with their war on two fronts at home and Europe with a so-far perilously slim squad and just how far Mauricio Pochettino can take his incredibly talented Tottenham while playing away from home at Wembley. Not to mention whether Arsene Wenger can surprise those who believe his Arsenal contract extension was foolish and if Jurgen Klopp can actually propel Liverpool to the level they so desperately want.
In 1992/93 there was just one manager sacked in the entire season — Chelsea’s Ian Porterfield in February. Such a thing today is simply inconceivable.
Perhaps the most interesting Premier League tale of modern times is Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United. With the reinforcement in defence and the addition of Nemanja Matic to fully utilise Paul Pogba’s forward threat there is evidence of the team Mourinho is building. Despite Lukaku up front, however, you can’t help feel that they are still one major attacking signing short.
Add that and like 1992/93 it could very well be Manchester United’s icing on the Premier League birthday cake.
