No Premier League club has yet committed to the second Summer time Collection in the promised land of the United States.
Experts say a number of “good discussions” are taking place regarding the pre-season tournament and add that they are confident of a positive outcome as the clock continues to tick towards next July.
However, the lack of confirmation will do little to ease fears that top-flight bigwigs will avoid the competition.
There are a number of issues at play. Champions Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea, who enjoy great support in the United States, are unavailable thanks to their participation in the Club World Cup (which ironically is held all over the United States).
Then there is the issue of money, and how the top flight can make this an attractive option for the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, who will have no shortage of offers.
No Premier League club has yet committed to the second Summer time Collection in the promised land of the United States
Chelsea reigned victorious in the Summer time Collection preseason tournament that took place in America
An intriguing subplot – given the current civil war ravaging the league – is the impact any additional revenue would have on a club's position within the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and whether it is fair for some to benefit in that. sense of an organized tournament. by the league itself.
The Premier League is also reported to be considering a sliding scale, which would see United and Liverpool take part in a four- or six-team tournament with £6.3m each up for grabs.
Smaller clubs could expect less based on their share of the US market. Once again, this is unlikely to turn out well. United and Liverpool may well believe they could generate more revenue by staging their own matches, while smaller clubs may find themselves angered.
To make matters worse, FIFA has revealed that Inter Miami will participate in their CWC, even though the MLS play-offs have not yet started. They have apparently acted now to ensure that Lionel Messi appears whether Miami, which finished atop the Eastern Conference, is crowned champion or not. The competition for attention in the United States ahead of the World Cup is intense.
The Premier League is also reported to be considering a sliding scale, which would see United and Liverpool take part in a four- or six-team tournament with £6.3m each up for grabs.
Manchester Metropolis will not compete in the Summer time Collection while they plan another victory in the Club World Cup.
FIFA has now revealed that Inter Miami and Lionel Messi will participate in its Club World Cup
None of this is lost on MLS commissioner Don Garber, who chose his words carefully when asked recently by Inside Sport what he thought about the prospect of a Premier League match heading to the United States. “I have heard that the Premier League is interested and that the fans do not support it,” he said.
'It depends on them. For my part, I know the value of a regular season match, I know what it means for the fans, I know what sovereignty means: that football is based on borders. I believe in the importance of those borders.'
Ten Hag appears in the annual awards
On Friday he accused the media of making up “fairy tales and lies” about his future, and on Sunday Erik ten Hag broke bread with them.
The under-pressure Manchester United manager attended the Northern Football Writers' Association awards dinner for the second year running and brought the FA Cup with him. Ten Hag has a decent relationship with the press and his presence at the annual shindig was a welcome sight.
Erik ten Hag attended the Northern Football Writers' Association awards dinner on Sunday for the second year running
Piqué's competitive pride
Gerard Piqué was the keynote speaker at the recent Leaders in Sport back-slapping competition in Twickenham. The former Barcelona player waxed lyrical about the Liga del Rey he created, in which fans set the rules and streamers own each club.
Piqué effusively praised the sponsors of the disruptive competition, among which is Adidas. That love, however, did not stop him from wearing a pair of Nike sneakers.
EFL meeting brought forward as Championship clubs consider ticket limit
Inside Sport has learned that the EFL's annual summer meeting has been brought forward to February, in a bid to address the various financial issues facing the game. Championship clubs will discuss new spending regulations, while those in Leagues One and Two will examine amendments to existing agreements.
While the summer meeting will still take place, the summit is expected to be used as an approval exercise. The lack of a redistribution agreement with the Premier League and the next football regulator will also be high on the agenda.
Inside Sport has learned that the EFL's annual summer meeting has been brought forward to February.
It can also be revealed that Championship clubs are considering replicating the Premier League and introducing a £30 cap on tickets for away fans. A decision is expected early in the new year, but only a small number are believed to oppose the move.
Welsh clubs consider new territory for the cup
There is a growing sense that clubs across the Severn competing in the English league are trying to “have their Welsh cake and eat it”, as one executive put it.
Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham and Newport, who ply their trade in England, are considering entering the Welsh League Cup, with the winners competing in the European Conference League.
Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham and Newport, who ply their trade in England, are considering entering the Welsh League Cup, with the winners competing in Europe's Convention League.
Aside from the fact that such qualification could wreak havoc on the Championship fixture schedule, there is also the argument that the revenue that European qualification would bring would give the team in question an unfair advantage over their English counterparts.
In a recent call, sharing such income was quickly ruled out. “They are more than welcome to play in the Welsh Cup as long as they then go on to play in the Welsh League,” another official said.