Todd Boehly thinks the Premier League needs an all-star game, but he’s not going to have an easy time convincing Jurgen Klopp that it’s a good idea.
Klopp laughed off the proposal, which the new Chelsea owner brought up at the SALT Conference in New York. According to Boehly, the all-star game would make a huge amount of money that could be distributed down the English league pyramid.
For Klopp, there was just one big problem.
“Oh, great,” said Klopp with some well-honed sarcastic enthusiasm. “When he finds a date for that, you can call me.”
Klopp’s concern was pretty straightforward: the English calendar is packed to the gills, an issue that has become more notable after the Premier League postponed a whole slate of fixtures after Queen Elizabeth’s passing. The November World Cup had already created an unusual logjam of games in this Premier League season, and Klopp appeared to have no patience for an idea that would add any more.
“He forgets that in the big sports in America, these players have four-month breaks. They’re quite happy they can’t do a little bit of sport in these breaks. It’s completely different in football,” said Klopp following Liverpool’s 2-1 Champions League win over Ajax.
Boehly’s proposal involved a north vs. south structure, which might work in some places. In a country where city derbies or regional rivalries run hot? Klopp thinks fans wouldn’t be too keen.
“I’m not sure people want to see that. (Manchester) United players, Liverpool players, Everton players all together in one team?,” asked an incredulous Klopp. “And all the London guys together, Arsenal, Tottenham…great. Did he really say it? Interesting.”
Klopp did have one last offering to improve the initial idea.
“What can I say? Does he want to bring the Harlem Globetrotters as well, and let them play against a football team?,” said Klopp as a dismissal of the topic, but also possibly the best idea anyone’s ever had.
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