This week, new Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly made a bold, and some would say misguided, proposal for the Premier League to introduce an all-star game of North vs. South, similar to those featured in a variety of sports in the United States.
It hasn’t gone down well, given the ongoing debate around fixture congestion, and raises plenty of questions, even attracting the mockery of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp when he was asked about the idea in the aftermath of the club’s win over Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Boehly, who is also a co-owner of Major League Baseball team the Los Angeles Dodgers, suggested that a North vs. South game could be used to financially benefit all levels of football in England, using MLB as an example as it “made $200 million from a Monday and a Tuesday.”
But Klopp hit back, saying: “He forgets that in the big sports in America, these players have four-month breaks. It is completely different in football. What can I say? Does he want to bring the Harlem Globetrotters [an American exhibition basketball team] as well and let them play against a football team?”
Some fans will hate the idea; some may think that it could replace the preseason Community Shield. In all likelihood, it will never happen. But, based on current form, which players would be involved if an All-Star game were announced right now? Mark Ogden and James Olley pick their North and South XIs, with no limitations on the number of players from one club.
