The Best League in the World?

The question of 'Which is the Best League in the World?' is often asked and even more frequently answered with the Barclays Premier League as it is the most competitive. In the light of Roy Keane's recent comments, I thought it would be beneficial to share my opinions.

La Liga

While the La Liga contains arguably 2 of the biggest teams in the world, I don't see this as the best league in the world. The league is constantly a 2 horse race as either Barcelona or Real Madrid have won it since the 2003-2004 season. The vast majority of the Spanish national side play their football in Spain for either Barcelona or Real Madrid. This has proved both teams, especially Barca to be a force in Europe in the past seasons, having won the Champions League 3 times since 2005. However, a new force in the shape of Atletico Madrid are going from strength to strength and will test rivals Madrid and Barca in the coming seasons.

Unfortunately for Madrid, they have been living in the Blaugrana's shadow for the last few years. Barca's European dominance has also helped the national side. Spain have dominated International football by winning 2 European Championships in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010. For what the league lacks in competitive nature, it makes up for in sheer brilliance and skill from Barca and Real and is a must watch to see the best players in the world in action.

Serie A

The Italian League on the other hand, is an underrated league, in my opinion. Since the turn of the century, 5 different teams have won it while it is a constant scramble for 2nd and 3rd place. On the downside, the League has seen its rainy days. The 2006 match fixing scandal saw Juventus stripped of their title and booted out of Serie A to Serie C1 while Fiorentina and Lazio were demoted to Serie B. Other sanctions were also given to Milan and Reggina. A bad light portrayed of our Beautiful Game. 

The next season will prove profitable for rising stars Napoli as they invested their €60m wisely that they got from the sale of Edinson Cavani. AC Milan look strong as do Juventus but AC rivals Inter, is a different story. A disappointing 9th place finsh last season saw them finish behind arch rivals AC. A league which has been plagued with controversy in the past is competitive and will be sure to stay that way with the rise of new teams. Juventus appear to be in pole position to be crowned champions, while AS Roma surprised everyone with their explosive start to the season. On the other hand, Milan have had a disastrous season, which further emphasises the unpredictable nature of the Italian League.

Bundesliga

The Bundesliga now holds the European Champions in the shape of Bayern Munich for the 1st time in 12 years. The final was an all German affair between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern, but more interestingly, it was a final no one expected. Bayern ran 7 goals past Barcelona on aggregate in a vintage German performance while Dortmund's home leg against Madrid saw Robert Lewandowski net 4 goals. After these results, many said that this was the end of Spain's dominance in continental football and that 'Ze Germans' were heading for world domination... Where have we heard that before... 

The previous season witnessed records broken as Bayern walked away with the title after reclaiming it from rivals Dortmund. Bayern became the first team to do the 'treble' in Germany and this season will answer questions in terms of their seize of power over football. With exception to Bayern last season, teams were regularly beating each other such as relegation battlers Hoffenheim defeating Dortmund 4-1 away from home. The same trend has carried on into this season. 

Bayern have effectively won the league with 2 months to spare, and are favourites to win the Champions League again. Similar to La Liga, for what it lacks in competition, it makes up for in quality, particularly from Bayern and Dortmund. The best league in the world? Tough to say whether it beats the English league but its certainly up there with the quality and quantity of goals scored up to this date.

Is the Premier League all that it's hyped up to be?

Touted as the most competitive and exciting league in the world, this tag certainly lived up to expectations at the end of the 2011/2012 season, with City taking the title in the dying embers of the campaign. A magical moment whether a City fan, United fan or the neutral. We can never definitively say who will be relegated or clinch the title due to the unpredictability of the league. Although it was a two horse race for the majority of the previous season, this season, any team from Manchester to London can do it. 

I believe Chelsea will be win the league, now that their guardian angel, Jose Mourinho is at the helm. Mourinho has the know-how and experience to guide his team to an English title. However, what I find disappointing about the Premier League, is the failings in Europe over the past seasons. Although Chelsea won the Europa League, no British team got passed the last 16 stage of the Champions League and also that 3/4 English teams appear to be going out at the first hurdle. With the money involved in Chelsea and Manchester City, mixed with the superb form of Arsenal and Liverpool it will only be a matter of time until the British teams are back at the the top.

As for the comments made by Roy Keane, I agree with him that the Premier League is the best 'brand' however I disagree with his opinion that it's not the best league. If you are looking for quality football and a competitive season, then look no further than the Barclays Premier League.

In a close second, I think it's Serie A. I feel the 14 point gap at the top is down to the sheer quality of Juve, rather than the inability of the rest. However, it just lacks the quality in Europe - with the exception of stragglers, Milan. I can easily see the Serie A becoming more competitive if a club is bought over and money is pumped in like what has happened at City and PSG.