One of the reasons I like the game is because it is so international.

One of the things that frustrates me about it is that it can be so provincial.

So how long do you think the rotation will last? Hope this might be the year that "international sport" becomes the true description for the game.

Another indelible stain on the game is cheating. Though it occurs in other sports, soccer seems to have especially talented actors.

[ April 01, 2006, 11:56 AM: Message edited by: sportinlife ]

Even if Chelsea repeat with a second successive Premiership today I think their continued dominance will be less likely - nothing like ManU's string of 8 in 11 years.

It seems to be the nature of most sports that modern dynasties don't last the way the old ones did, whether it's American football, golf or tennis - likewise the preeminence of certain countries in Olympic competitions. Personally I find it more fun to watch, but maybe some do not.

It's way more fun to watch. The Premiership has gotten really old, really fast. Someone else needs to challenge Chelsea for the title...Arsenal have fallen apart in the Premiership, and Man U is trying, but they aren't succeeding...

And how about the fact that teams can do really well in one competition, and be horrible in their league? Arsenal are in the Champions League semifinal and haven't let up a goal in that competition in 7 matches. But in the Premiership, they have been playing much poorer, with a spot in the Champions League again potentially out of reach.

I'm a fan of Chelsea mainly because of Jose Mourinho. A great coach and he's Portuguese so I gotta support my pork chops haha.

Thing is, I'll never put them anywhere close to Man Utd when they were on a tear in the mid-late 90s. That team was sensational and the core of their players were all products of Man Utd's academy. They took those guys and prepped them since the age of 13...now that's dedication and a great program. That's the stuff of Champions. Buying a title is good and all...but not as satisfying as how Man Utd did it.

After schooling Everton 3-0 I have to give it to the Blue for doing their part to firm up the Premiership. They need only one point in the next three games to can it.

And though I don't see Chelsea as the New York Yankees of British soccer I can understand how they have that image with all the big name players. But it wouldn't make a bit a difference if Mourinho couldn't get all those egos on the same page. And damn is he a cute GM!