The Premier League's escalating power... and how it may unbalance things

The Independent’s football newsletter [View in browser]( [The Independent]( November 19, 2021 [The Independent]( Reading the Game Written by Miguel Delaney The Premier League's escalating power De Jong making United reconsider men in the middle Manchester United are considering a move for Frenkie de Jong next summer, and it is a move that is gathering momentum. With Paul Pogba virtually certain to leave Old Trafford in the summer, the club are assessing what next. It is well known they want a defensive midfielder, and West Ham United’s Declan Rice is expected to move in the summer, but De Jong could change things. Barcelona’s new manager Xavi Hernandez hasn’t been overwhelmingly impressed with the Dutch midfielder as of yet, and there’s the more pressing issue that Barcelona want to trim the wage bill. It is one to watch. De Jong is precisely the sort of passer that United want for that position. One question, however, is whether De Jong has consulted former Ajax teammate Donny van de Beek over his experiences at Old Trafford. Pogba keeping his own options open Another side of that is Pogba potentially going the other way. Barcelona are of course one of many clubs Mino Raiola has spoken to, just as he’s done with Erling Haaland. A playing legend, but still learning his way as a manager There was some “bemusement” within the game over leaks that Frank Lampard had pulled out of the running for the vacant Norwich City job, which was quickly filled by Dean Smith. They didn’t have him that high up the list of candidates. It does raise the question of what job Lampard is going to get next. The word is he is looking for something ideal, but the thing when you’re a young manager starting out is there often isn’t an ideal. There are a series of compromises. This is where Lampard is. The Chelsea job hasn’t actually amplified his status as a coach in that way. Abu Dhabi beckons for Chelsea... maybe Chelsea still haven't received confirmation from Fifa over the Club World Cup, a mere six months after winning the Champions League. The current thinking is that it will be held in Abu Dhabi at the end of the first week in February, potentially causing the postponement of the European champions’ home match with Arsenal. Hoffman brings the Premier League together by leaving The resignation of Gary Hoffman as Premier League chairman was a rare moment that united almost the entirety of the Premier League. Most of it stemmed from disaffection over the manner of the Newcastle United takeover, but there are wider issues, and ongoing dispute over the direction of the competition. The “Super League six” remain a group unto themselves. There are other factions below that dependent on what the issue is. This is currently a complicated group to corral into any order. The role of chairman may prove another that is difficult to fill - and that’s despite the health of the competition. The one mega league... that may provoke the Super League? The Premier League’s £2bn deal with NBC for the next six years of broadcasting coverage in North America nevertheless displays that the competition’s power is not just increasing. It is overwhelming. In short, no other league can compete with it. It is the one mega-league, whatever about “the five major leagues” or any idea of a Super League. Some executives from other competitions raised their eyebrows at the news, especially after Covid. The deal is a remarkable $600m more than ESPN paid for La Liga over eight years. Part of that was because ESPN were one of a few broadcasters more than willing to engage in a “rights war” and drive up the price. This is similarly a reflection of its huge popularity in the USA. America has been well and truly cracked. The wonder is whether it provokes more action on the continent. This may just be more motivation for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and maybe other big clubs to press ahead with their own Super League, away from English clubs. It is still said that the mid-tier leagues need to merge - like a Benelux or Scandinavian competition - in order to create TV markets to allow their clubs to compete. It is remarkable if we are reaching the same stage for the true giants of European football. The figures, however, are only going one way. These are the exact same issues that fostered the Super League in the first place: inequality of income. Top stories [England will hope collective strength can raise struggling individuals as Albania visit Wembley]( [History tells us managing Manchester United isn’t as easy as it seems]( Miguel's Dispatches There’s been a lot of debate about pre-qualifying for minnows in the wake of England’s destruction of San Marino, and there was maybe another little indication before the game. I have never been at a competitive match where the home crowd were so willing to ensure the entire soundtrack of the night was for the benefit of the visitors. It was like an England home game in that regard. We had all of Three Lions, Sweet Caroline and Atomic Kitten’s updated version of Whole Again. Quote of the day “You'll never hear me saying it's a stepping stone… I’m all in.” Steven Gerrard on taking over at Aston Villa. Reading the game quiz A total of 18 former or current Premier League players have scored in a Champions League final - but NOT for a Premier League. As an example, Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't count, as he has scored in a final for Manchester United. Name the 18. (Last week's answers: Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness, Ruud Gullit, Gordon Strachan, Patrick Vieira, Ronald Koeman, Jean Tigana, Pep Guardiola, Bryan Robson, Alan Shearer, Michael Laudrup, Trevor Francis, Ossie Ardiles) Essential reading [Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa has been 12 years in the making for Christian Purslow]( [England vs Albania prediction: How will World Cup qualifier play out?]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's football newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's football newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Football_CDP). 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