Post by Taxigirl on Dec 3, 2003 18:33:42 GMT
There are worrying similarities between the Premiership and the Rugby World Cup.
For Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United - think England, Australia and New Zealand.
Of the other 17 top-flight clubs, would it be harsh to ask if they are Canada in disguise?
They are willing, but not particularly able and certainly no threat to the elite.
Just as rugby's finest pulverised the minnows in the opening stages of the World Cup, so the Premiership's big three are also exerting a worrying dominance.
Proof?
Second-in-the-table Arsenal took on Wolves in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, and thrashed the second-from-bottom club 5-1.
But the most disturbing thing about the result was that Arsenal achieved it despite fielding their reserve/youth side against Wolves' first team.
After just 14 matches in the Premiership this season, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have opened a substantial gap on their rivals.
It clearly demonstrates the two tiers within the division.
The reaction to Fulham's victory at Old Trafford in October is further evidence of the gulf - the result was greeted with shock and seen as a "freak" by most footballer followers.
There are nine points between third-placed United and fourth-placed Fulham - but Fulham are only 11 points ahead of basement club Leeds.
It could be suggested that Chelsea sit on top of the Premiership, and Fulham are leaders of "Premiership A".
But if the "lesser" clubs have resigned themselves to the realisation that the Premiership title is beyond them, there could be an even more harsh reality on the horizon.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has called for the world's leading divisions to be reduced to 16 teams in proposed plans to reduce the number of domestic games.
Should the move go ahead, the Premiership would be cut by four teams.
Imagine the consequences for that unfortunate quartet.
Already out of the Premiership title race, they would then also be out of the running for the "Premiership A" crown too and the chance to qualify for Europe.
And what hope then of ever scaling the dizzy heights of the Premiership's upper echelons and breaking the big three's stranglehold?
Financially, the rest of the Premiership cannot compete with the top three clubs - and even Arsenal are finding it increasingly hard to maintain their position as they look to finance their move to Ashburton Grove.
So, how will the gap ever be closed?
Possibly there is a clue in the make-up of Arsenal's Carling Cup side.
Of the 11 youth and reserve players used by Arsenal on Tuesday, only four are British.
Surely there must be home-grown talent out there, crying out to be spotted, encouraged and nurtured?
And if Arsenal are not snapping up future David Beckhams, then perhaps the "Premiership A" clubs can.
There is then, of course, the question of whether they could hold on to any proteges who come through the ranks.
But for the sake of British football, competition must not be stifled by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's millions, Manchester United's resources and Arsene Wenger's ability to spot fresh French talent.