I have been very vocal about FIFA and the decision to reward Qatar with the 2022 World Cup. Recently though, it has been confirmed that the first Winter World Cup will be in the offing with the final being played on the 23rd December. This decision has been heavily criticised (and rightly so) but could this be a blessing in disguise for English football?
For so long, football divisions across the world have been disrupted to make way for the greatest footballing spectacle in the world, now FIFA have proposed a Winter World Cup - slap bang in the middle of the Premeir League season. This has outraged many English fans, but I personally believe that it could serve English football well.
Every year, the 6 Nations kicks off in the middle of the Guinness Pro12/Top14/Aviva Premiership season, meaning that rugby clubs have to say good bye to their star players as they go off to represent their country. It's a nuisance, but no one bats an eyelid. It is often a nervy time, but exciting, as coaches have to call some younger players to fill the void left by the internationals. This is a scenario in which football clubs could lock horns with, and I very much hope the FA continues the season while the World Cup is on.
Currently in the Premier League, it is only the very best youth prospects, the crème de la crème, that will get game time. I can see fans getting very upset at the thought of the Premier League being disrupted and I sympathise with them, to an extent. This provides the perfect opportunity for teams to use rotational players, and they could stake a claim for a first team spot.
Several weeks ago, I was watching an U21 match between Manchester United and Chelsea. On the Chelsea side there were no household names, and by this I mean names that people will not of heard of (excluding Chelsea fans for obvious reasons.) I was amazed at some of the talent on show from that side. It also made me wonder, what would happen if these players got more first team action? There is definitely talent in the youth ranks, it just needs nurtured and developed.
However if this scenario comes true, it would be likely for the FA to raise the amount of registered players. This has both pros and cons. It would allow clubs to register more of their youth players for the league, but on the otherhand, others may take this as an opportunity to spend more money in order to add strength and depth to their sides. Can you really blame them? I think the proposals made by FIFA will offer short term pain but long term gain for English sides.
Unless there is a massive power change, the top sides will only be affected. If 2014 World Cup was played in November/December 2014, Manchester United would have the most players missing (14). Chelsea would have had 12 players missing, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City would have had 10 players each called up. I think we could agree that these clubs are among the top clubs in England and would have sufficient players on their books to fill the void left by the departures. We must also consider that 'injuries' could occur meaning that players may not be able to travel, giving them time to recover at home and chances are, that may make a miraculous recovery in time for the league games.
Following on, it may make the league more interesting. Weaker teams battling relegation may see this as a prime time to pick up lucrative points facing the stronger sides who have been weakened by the Winter World Cup. The club managers would really earn their money then. I have regularly emphasised my point that Southampton have been a revelation this year. Undoubtedly they would have key players missing, but not to the extent of the other sides. A team in Southampton's position could mount a serious charge for European football in 2022.
A Winter World Cup would throw up an abundance of trials and tribulations for English football. While this article definitely has a 'glass is half full' taste to it, I still think it is despicable that FIFA can award such competition to a nation who cannot even keep their word on when it would be played. As the saying goes, every cloud certainly has it's silver lining.
Unless there is a massive power change, the top sides will only be affected. If 2014 World Cup was played in November/December 2014, Manchester United would have the most players missing (14). Chelsea would have had 12 players missing, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City would have had 10 players each called up. I think we could agree that these clubs are among the top clubs in England and would have sufficient players on their books to fill the void left by the departures. We must also consider that 'injuries' could occur meaning that players may not be able to travel, giving them time to recover at home and chances are, that may make a miraculous recovery in time for the league games.
Following on, it may make the league more interesting. Weaker teams battling relegation may see this as a prime time to pick up lucrative points facing the stronger sides who have been weakened by the Winter World Cup. The club managers would really earn their money then. I have regularly emphasised my point that Southampton have been a revelation this year. Undoubtedly they would have key players missing, but not to the extent of the other sides. A team in Southampton's position could mount a serious charge for European football in 2022.
A Winter World Cup would throw up an abundance of trials and tribulations for English football. While this article definitely has a 'glass is half full' taste to it, I still think it is despicable that FIFA can award such competition to a nation who cannot even keep their word on when it would be played. As the saying goes, every cloud certainly has it's silver lining.