20 May 2018 11:36:32
ED2, one for you if you're about. Not player transfer related per say but more so a general question on transfers, do you think in the next few years we will see transfer values drop back down to, for want of a better word normal? Neymar's fee seemed to spike the market or was it always going that way, albeit at a steadier incline due to TV revenue flooding in.

{Ed002's Note - It all depends what happens with the restructuring of the game and FIFA now assisting UEFA with trying to avoid the breakaway, and what happens with the US and China. I expect you will see most clubs fall away from a number of "elite" sides financially, and overall there needs to be fewer pro clubs to make the game sustainable.}

1.) 20 May 2018
20 May 2018 12:05:57
ED2 thanks as always, doesn't seem to be much you don't know regarding the game. There seems to be a real worry that this breakaway league may come to fruition if FIFA are now assisting UEFA to avoid it. I can't really give an opinion on whether its a bad or good idea as I don't know much of the details to support an argument for or against it so will reserve judgement, what I can say is I do like the premiership as it is, partly down to the fact its all I have known.

In regards to China and US, are you able to elaborate further? not to worry if the details are unimportant at the time being.

{Ed002's Note - There are two/three counter-proposals to the pan-European breakaway that have partially been backed by UEFA to try and save their own skin. The first proposal is to rename and change the format of the UEFA Champions League to make it an elite closed-shop pan-European league with a fixed number of teams – and these would be the same teams every year and be based on past winners of the Champions League and European Cup and a few (not specified) more. It would then require the restructuring of the Europa League and the possible introduction of a lower-tier European competition again. Although they have yet to flesh out the detail and there is now a major concern that the impetus for this is not coming from Europe, although one major Football Association has given their support and discussions have also been held with the leading clubs from England (Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal). The American backer, Stephen Ross of the Miami Dolphins, has on several occasions requested a meeting with an extant group of sides considering the pan-European breakaway to discuss his proposals. They have yet to respond but having identified the source of much of the funding (and that raising a concern) will wish to discuss it between themselves first. This has dragged on for a year or more and nothing has happened - and I doubt it wil.

However, UEFA are now considering a variant proposal that would see some places in the CL fixed (probably to previous winners) and then see it supplemented by Champions and second place sides each season. This complicates matters again as it means the re-introduction of a third competition or the significant restructuring of the EL. The plan being put to clubs is a summer/preseason tournament that will evolve in to a parallel league, and of course eventually in to a complete breakaway for these clubs. As a first step to all of this, UEFA have negotiated minor changes that will see the four entrants from England, Germany, Spain and Italy enter the existing Champions League group stages without any qualification beyond their National League position (so no entry to qualifying rounds). This has been agreed by the European Club Association but UEFA did not want to discuss it with the separate group of “elite” sides discussing the Pan European League (and that “elite” group includes three English sides) as they are aware they will get no more than a shrug and no long-term support - and that is where we are now.

The second major counter proposal is a Chinese proposal from the Dalian Wanda Group proposes to open up the lucrative Chinese and Far Eastern media markets by extending the league to include Chinese and South American clubs. This has yet to be discussed by the "elite" sides as a group although the proposals have been presented to a number of them already on an individual basis. The proposals are very broad-based and lack detail - their selling point is significant additional income for the "elite". The general feeling from informal discussions over cocktails is that the "elite" would not want it on a league basis but could be open to including other sides in a some sort of expanded World Club Competition - and this is where FIFA are involved.}

2.) 20 May 2018
20 May 2018 14:10:23
Thanks ED2, ones thing for sure it will be interesting to see how this all pans out.

3.) 20 May 2018
20 May 2018 14:23:01
What an explanation Ed02. That’s why you are a footballing Encyclopedia 🤗.

4.) 20 May 2018
20 May 2018 14:25:27
Wow ed. Thank you very much forma that detailed answer.

5.) 20 May 2018
20 May 2018 15:16:29
Great information. Thank you.