In La Liga, there are two big teams every upcoming footballer wants to play for, Real Madrid and Barcelona. In the Premier League, for the past 30 years, we have spoken about the “big four,” and by 2012 Manchester City made it five, while in 2015/2016 Tottenham made it six.
The difference between the original big four and the remaining two is that Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool have long-standing global appeal. Players from places like Brazil and other countries grow up wanting to play for these clubs.
The current state of Chelsea does not change this reality. Chelsea can still attract big players even if they finish as low as 12th in the league.
If Pep Guardiola were to leave Manchester City, the club’s attraction could reduce, as many players are influenced by both the financial power and the presence of a top manager like Guardiola.
Clubs like Chelsea, however, can attract players regardless of who the manager is, simply because of the club’s name and history. The same applies to Arsenal. When players join Arsenal, it is often seen as a dream move, driven by the club’s identity.
If Newcastle are competing with Manchester United for a player like Sandro Tonali, suggesting the player would prefer Newcastle over United is seen as disrespectful to football history.
Examples can be seen in recent transfer decisions. Before Manchester United signed Bryan Mbeumo, Newcastle were also interested, but he chose United. The same applies to Benjamin Šeško, who reportedly turned down a better offer to join Manchester United.
Where Manchester United finishes in the league does not completely define its pull. The club’s name has been built over many years. Just as a player at Sevilla in La Liga would dream of moving to Barcelona or Real Madrid, the same structure exists in the Premier League.
Softfootball believes this perceived disrespect toward traditional big clubs should stop. There is a reason clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool maintain their status. Even without trophies for long periods, they continue to attract top players because of the legacy they have built over time.
