Is the Americanisation of the Premier League nearly upon us?
Well, after new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s recent comments, it might very well be.
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Speaking at the SALT thought leaders conference in New York, Boehly is “thinking we could do a north versus south All-Star game for the Premier League”, with all funds raised to filter throughout the English football pyramid.
The evidently positive financial element aside, many including Liverpool boss were quick to poke fun at the American’s idea, as Klopp jokingly asked if Boehly wants “to bring the Harlem Globetrotters as well”.
But … what if it the concept actually did eventuate?
Sometimes it’s fun to dip our toes into the pool of the hypothetical, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do here.
Foxsports.com.au has dreamt up a starting line-up for a North FC and a South FC, but there’s one self-imposed caveat to make things really interesting: only one player from Premier League team can be picked.
Yes, before you start shaking your fist at the screen, that means both teams are short of one player.
That’s where another ridiculous yet fun stipulation comes into play: a manager will be thrust into the squad.
Without further ado, here are the North and South line-ups. It is up to you to decide who would win and why.
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NORTH FC (4-4-2)
Clubs available to choose from: Aston Villa, Leicester City, Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Leeds United, Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United, Manchester City
GK: Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest)
An England international, Henderson is a serious star between the sticks and would provide a reliable pair of hands in goals. Would represent Forest with aplomb and is a dying breed of goalkeepers who wear hats during games, a unique yet endearing trait.
RB: Matty Cash (Aston Villa)
Cash is an industrious operator on the right, bombing up and down with ease. Capable of the odd goal in his forays into the final third, the Pole won’t need invitations to get forward.
CB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
A towering presence at the back who would scare the life out of opposition attackers. He’ll mop up anything in the air or on the ground. A true nightmare to play against.
CB: James Tarkowski (Everton)
From the school of hard knocks at Burnley, Tarkowski has learned the fine arts of sheer brutality but has proven himself time and time again to be a hard man to beat. Him and van Dijk are the perfect pairing.
LB: James Justin (Leicester City)
The perfect embodiment of the modern full-back and can play on either flank. Won’t let the passionate northerners down.
RM: Pedro Neto (Wolves)
The silky Portuguese flyer makes the cut. Twisting defenders into pretzels, Neto can kill the ball dead with just one touch.
CM: Frank Lampard (Everton)
When one of the greatest central midfielders to play in the Premier League is a manager, they are shoe-in for the team given the special rules in place. A tough choice, Lampard edges out Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard for the role.
CM: Brenden Aaronson (Leeds United)
The human form of the Energiser bunny, Aaronson provides legs in the midfield and can run for days. Can thread the needle to perfection too and the attackers for North FC will lap it up all day long.
LM: Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United)
Perhaps the most exciting player in the Premier League when he has the ball at his feet. Saint-Maximin has matured under Eddie Howe and a box office-type player like himself is perfect for this team.
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
There are no other strikes on a hot streak quite like Erling Haaland is at the minute. He takes joy in giving defenders nightmares and he’ll do the same again.
ST: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
You can’t have an All-Star team and not include the biggest superstar operating in the Premier League. Tactics go out the window in these types of fixtures and when that happens, Cristiano Ronaldo shines.
SOUTH FC (4-3-3)
Clubs available to choose from: Arsenal, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Southampton, Spurs, West Ham United
GK: Bernd Leno (Fulham)
Was Arsenal’s starting goalkeeper only a few seasons ago and has plenty of quality left in him. Has only played for clubs in the south of England too, and would wear the South FC badge with pride.
RB: Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)
Come on in leaps and bounds since joining the Saints from Spurs. Equally adept at defending and attacking.
CB: Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
Chelsea’s loss has been Crystal Palace’s grateful gain. Guehi has rapidly improved since arriving at Selhurst Park, culminating in an England cap last season.
CB: Lewis Dunk (Brighton)
One of the best English defenders not to have been called up to Gareth Southgate’s squad. But a selection in South FC is the next best thing.
LB: Rico Henry (Brentford)
Henry has proven himself capable of playing at Premier League level for the mighty Bees. His energy on the left is vital.
CM: Philip Billing (Bournemouth)
The southerners need a nasty man in the engine room and Billing plays that role to perfection. Plays with his heart on his sleeve and has a 30-yard screamer in his locker too.
CM: Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Despite being a midfielder, Mount seems to be the go-to guy for Chelsea when it comes to scoring goals. It’s a trait that makes him extremely valuable and at 23 years of age, he’ll only get better.
CM: Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Lampard can’t be the only former Premier League star pulling the strings in the All-Star fixture. Arteta, a classy midfielder in his heyday, will ping the ball all over the park for South FC.
RW: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
Appears to be the most likeable player in the Premier League that doesn’t play for your club. He can drive at defenders, he can tackle, he can track back … quite simply, Saka can do it all.
ST: Harry Kane (Spurs)
Kane loves Spurs, but he loves scoring goals even more. He’ll cause serious issues with his ability to drop deep and link up play.
LW: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United)
One of the breakout stars of last season, Bowen gets the nod. Tireless runner on the left for the Hammers and is often in the right place at the right time to score.
