This, I think, is the determining factor. Next season there will be 10 PL clubs playing in Europe. That will surely alter the quality of the league games which are the real bread and butter of the game. Time will tell whether the 'product' (don't really like that word but it seems appropriate here) is being watered down as players are being pushed and pushed.
Nobody in the stands to watch Chelsea Shows 3 things imo 1) the appetite for the tournament in general 2) the lack of interest in football in the US 3) the lack of interest in Chelsea outside of Chelsea.
I have addressed your point Exclude CWC teams from the league cup or the FA Cup as they are they same thing Or even both That sorts that one out can get rid of internationals too lmao
4) overhigh pricing for Tickets 5) potentially also the political situation. Given that FIFA was hoping for strong Mexican and Latin American presence, due to their proximity and taking the competition much more seriously than Europeans, the confirmation shortly before the tournament that CBP and ICE agents will be providing security and increased checks at games may have been an issue. But I don't know how much of an effect it's had a) generally and b) for Chelsea vs LAFC in particular.
I'd rather see our teams support football in this country by being in the traditional domestic competitions than take part in an overblown plastic circus. At least we agree on internationals.
It was 3pm on a working Monday between Chelsea and an America team who are based the other side of the country. The crowds have been there for all the other games on the weekend so I think this was more a one off because of situations above more than anything else.
Think the internationals could be done in a far fairer way but again different thread I think going traditionally is just closing the avenue to change No reason to leave those comps - could easily field a b squad or something of that ilk My main point originally was just that I think we as a nation undervalue comps such as CWC charity shield, cup winners cup, UEFA Cup, Europa and Conference, League cup all trophies I have seen disregarded by people on here I would love to win the lot - but I know it’s unrealistic I have an order of preference CWC Prem or CL Europa FA Cup Charity Shield Conference League I realise that’s fairly controversial but that’s just how I view it - and as I said right back at the beginning I just wish we respected some of these other comps a bit more I like them all ftr but the above is my order I agree players should be rested but there are ways around that but no one will ever change it nor will everyone agree I don’t like the cash tours but understand to have any chance of any of the above it’s a necessary evil now I could get on board with International games if they were all clumped together and the season ended earlier but again I am going off on one lol
Your choice for top of the list is controversial, the rest not at all, if the bottom place on the list is meant to be league cup. What would you think if you heard that players, generally, don't want to play in the CWC? Have you considered that it might be selfish of you as a fan to just want more and more? Edit: just to clarify I don't agree that the league cup deserves to be bottom of the list, was just checking you didn't mean league.
Nothing wrong with tradition if it's a good one. Change isn't necessarily an improvement. As for your list: my take is that CWC shouldn't even exist, at least not in this current bloated version. If it was just a competition for the champions of each region it might have some validity, but it would still be a farce until the semis at best. In that format it might scrape equality with the Charity Shield. The league cup is, despite your apparent disdain, a genuine competition and (pretty obviously imo) ranks higher than any exhibition show-piece. Though I do think there's a case for teams playing in Europe to be excluded. I might add that if and when we are in the CWC I'd want us to win it. I can't help that, I want us to win everything - even friendlies - but I wouldn't rank it amongst the genuine trophies on the wall. I'm just not prepared to swallow any "product" FIFA/UEFA attempt to stuff down my throat and tell me it's tasty.
