More Money Makes Premier League Stronger:

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore:

"We have already had hugely memorable games. We've had massive upsets such as Burnley beating Manchester United. We've had a Manchester derby that Sir Alex Ferguson, who goes back quite a while, says was the best that he can recall.

"We are getting matches that are captivating the imagination with their quality, but yet retaining their competitive edge. It is more competitive at the top, and more competitive from seventh or eight place all the way down to 20th. There is no real pattern, no real certainty virtually all the time, every weekend.

"I have always said that the Premier League was competitive, few believed me, and it has been a criticism that the more money the worse it will get. That simply is not true. In fact the reverse has been the case.

"We have never received more from our international TV rights, the sales are phenomenal, as well as our domestic rights. The rights are more valuable around the world than any other country, and I believe that is because our league is viewed around the world as the most competitive.

“There might be a tiny island off the South Pacific somewhere where the Premier League doesn't reach, but I've not heard of it! ”

"If we sell to more countries and up the income for the clubs, some say it is not healthy, however look at it this way: We now sell to 211 countries. There might be a tiny island off the South Pacific somewhere where the Premier League doesn't reach, but I've not heard of it!

"We are in the middle of our latest rounds of negotiations to renew our overseas TV rights, and all the countries will be taking up their options, the Premier League is as popular than ever, perhaps even more so if that is possible." (Source)

Ronaldo Hits Out At Premiership Again And Praises Spanish Football:

Ronaldo said this after his presentation to the fans of Real Madrid at the Bernabeau:

"I think La Liga is going to have more quality because of the players that are arriving," he said.

"All the players have a lot of quality and the referees protect the players."

"I expect a different league. I have played six years in the Premier League, it is very different. It is faster and players are strong but here the small teams and the medium teams try and play football," he stated. (Source)

Ronaldo Happy To Be Moving From Physcial English Premiership?:

"Football in England is different, it is more physical," he told Sky Sports News while on holiday.

"No matter how good you are it takes time to adapt to any type of football. I just hope I can get used to it as quickly as possible." (Source)

Italian League In Crisis:

“English football is better,” said Bruno Longhi, a prominent television commentator for Serie A matches. “They have taken care of their violence. In Italy, it still creates problems. People don’t want to go to the stadium with children. In Spain, they play with style. In Italy, the coach is only compelled to play to win. If you don’t win, you are dead, with the press and the fans.” (Source)

Lippi: Italian League May Have Lost Ground To The English Premier But Italian Football Still Strong:

"The big teams in England, Italy and Spain have dozens of foreigners and they cannot be considered as representative of English, Italian or Spanish football.

"I am totally satisfied with Italian football, from the Under-18s through the Under-21s to the national team.

"This is the real expression of Italian football, not what happens at club level." (Source)

Wenger Defends Arsenal's High Foreign Content:

"The French manager had come in for criticism over his transfer policy, usually buying talented but developing talent and rarely purchasing English players. Wenger rejected nationalistic calls for more English players, saying the Premier League had outgrown that approach.

"If the Premier League is the best league in the world, it means the players of the world play in England. So it would be a coincidence that all the best players in the world would be born in England," Wenger said. (Source)

Xabi Thinks La Liga is Better than Prem

''There's not much between the two leagues but I think our league is stronger - it is better technically and there is more tactical order...Maybe the Premier League wins in terms of intensity and rhythm...And it's true that there are three English teams in the semi-finals, but we are not here by coincidence.'' (Source)

Could Taxes and the Pound Threaten the Best League in the World?

These days most people think that the Premier League is the Best League in the World. However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that proposed changes to the English taxation system will soon change the league's status:

"Don't worry, that time will soon be over because with the new taxation system and with the collapse of sterling... the domination of the Premier League will end....The pound was at 1.45 or 1.60 (euros) at one stage...from one day to the next it will be a financial problem for all the English clubs.'' (Source)

Martin Samuel: "And that is why it is the best league in the world"

"And that is why it is the best league in the world."

"Arsenal won the game, then lost it, then won it again, then let it slip, won it a final time and blew it in injury-time. Every single goal changed the status of the match, which is a remarkable sequence of action."

"Liverpool are level on points with Manchester United, but the champions have two games in hand, against Portsmouth tonight and next month, at Wigan Athletic. It may not go to the wire after all, and some will look at another Old Trafford title and sneer. Yet, across Europe, the big leagues are invariably won by the big teams, and the Premier League has been no exception since the isolated triumph of Blackburn Rovers. How a team gets there is what counts these days, and the journey is more thrilling in this country than anywhere. In the last eight days we have seen two matches, epic in their excitement and ambition. This is the league that the politicians and pontificators wish to change. Take a good look, missus; there will never be another."