Jamie Carragher has criticised the suggestion by Chelsea Co-owner Todd Boehly of a North v South All-star game in the Premier League.
Todd Boehly was speaking in New York at a SALT conference, where he made a number of comments as to how Chelsea, and the Premier League could improve as a global franchise.
Among his ideas was a North v South All-Star game, often seen in America, as a way to “fund whatever the Pyramid needed very easily”.
When asked of his opinion on Boehly’s suggestion on CBS Sports, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher claimed it was “Incredibly arrogant.”
Jamie Carragher Slams Todd Boehly
Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards talking nothing but facts about Todd Boehly's all-star game idea.
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READ HERE: Jamie Carragher Plays Down Recent Altercation With Nottingham Forest Fan
I’ll be honest with you. When I look at that statement, I think it’s incredibly arrogant to speak about a league that you don’t know.
I don’t think we should ever discount ideas. The Premier League is an international league with owners, managers, players and that’s what makes it the best.
To come and speak like that, when he’s not even proved he can run a Premier League club well yet. He’s sacked a manager after three games, having spent over £250 million, so straight away you’re thinking that’s not right.
To speak like that, when you’ve been somewhere for six weeks, and talk about where you’re going to bring, and what we do in other American sports, I just think how would the American public feel if an English Premier League footballer then went to the NFL and said we do this in the Premier League.
It’s an incredibly arrogant to speak like that.”
The idea has raised debate among fans of the sport. While it may be fun and interesting to imagine possible line ups for the game, Micah Richards touched on the issue of player welfare, with no possible time for the game to be played.
You look at the amount of games that the players are playing already. I wouldn’t have liked it because what if someone gets a bad injury, then what?”
Boehly is already under huge pressure following Thomas Tuchel's dismissal, which has split the Chelsea fan base, and could've done without the attention theses comments have put on him.
Richards also touched on some of the previous comments made by Boehly, who had previously claimed Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah came through Chelsea’s academy.
I don’t want to be negative towards a new owner, but he should have the basics. If you are going to talk on something, you should know Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Sala didn’t come through the academy.
You’ve got to be factual for people to take you seriously.”