Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc Jose Mourinho has stated that he would like Chelsea to have a "B" team that play in the lower leagues of English football, much like Real Madrid have in Spain.
he was quoted as saying: "I would love to see it. I can tell you for sure that if that happened, players like Lassana Diarra, Mikel John Obi, Salomon Kalou, when they are not selected for the first team, they have a competition to play in a different level. So they should have a look. Like in Spain, they would not be allowed promotion. They don't even play in the cup to stop the possibility of Real Madrid A against Real Madrid B."
While I like the idea, and have thought about it for my own team Man Utd in the past as a way of giving reserve team players a chance at playing competitive football to aid their development, i don't think it has a place in English Football, as it would allow big teams to have two world class squads, swapping players between them at will, which would lead to the league championship becoming a foregone conclusion every year, in not just one league, but two!
What are your opinions? |
I can see why they would do it, as it would keep '2nd string' players match fit and sharp, (to a level 2nd team football doesn't give), should they need them, and that a 'nursery' club would benefit from the cash flow and quality players that such a deal would bring.
However, it's unheathly when it happens elsewhere. Games between the two sides have a nasty air of complicity, and, if the 2nd string is full of internationals there's a good chance the nursery club will rise through the divisions to meet them. Not to mention the other factors such as the lack of pride in your club, which is in this country is a part of the local heritage, if it becomes merely the adjunct to a bigger team. There is also the issue, as you say of artificial success, as the team is not really 'yours' once that happens.
I can't see too many lower division clubs who don't get a 'sugar daddy' being too chuffed about it.