Red line debate

29 May 2009 13:03
Jason Cundy and Graham Hunter joined Sky Sports News to give their views on the hottest debate in football - would Barcelona win the Premier League? The Spanish giants eased to victory over Manchester United in the Champions League final on Wednesday night and the manner of their victory has got everyone asking the question; just how good are they? Spain based journalist Graham Hunter believes this season's treble winners would quickly establish themselves as the Premier League's finest team, ahead on the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. However, former Chelsea defender Cundy was less convinced about Pep Guardiola's side ability to adapt to the physical demands of English football. Would Barcelona win the Premier League? JC: I don't think so. You saw the way Chelsea played against them and I think that is the way you have to play against them. Manchester United were particularly disappointing in the final, they just didn't turn up - they didn't play to their maximum. And over the course of a season English football is very, very different to Spanish football - it would be a fascinating match between Stoke and Barcelona! GH: I think they would win (the Premier League) and I think they would win it often enough so that the top four would become a top two - whichever was the best English club and Barca. They have about €12million in their pocket this season from the television rights this year and winning La Liga. Manchester United earned €45million from television rights and winning the Premier League. If you took Barcelona into that kind of environment, and remember that they won this European Cup against Manchester United with seven home-grown players - they didn't spend a penny on Iniesta, Xavi, or Messi - think what they could do. They toss off their rejects to you, Arteta, Fabregas and Pepe Reina, who have lit up the Premier League, because they don't need them! Now if you give them an extra €45 million to light up this club and let them come and do damage in the Premier League, I'm telling you it will be like putting a scorpion in your underpants! JC: Graham, we're obviously talking about this hypothetically, but over the course of a season the way English clubs play and defend - and we saw what Chelsea did which is like the blueprint now of how to play against Barcelona - I don't see them beating Manchester United. GH: I disagree. I think you're talking about this debate, which you've expressed well, but which is a one-eyed view in England that 'we are strong and tough and we play hard for 94 minutes'. JC: Barcelona were one very lucky side against Chelsea and you know that. You need a little bit of luck in cup competitions and they rode theirs. Over the course of those two games Chelsea showed how to stop Barca and they had no answer. They came to Stamford Bridge and they had one shot on goal. OK it was the shot that mattered, but this is not a side that would roll past Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool or Arsenal. I don't doubt what Barcelona have done this season and the side is littered with quality, but over the course of the season to play against English sides like Stoke and Blackburn; English sides are much stronger defensively and it was the first time that Messi has scored against an English side in countless games. GH: I'm delighted you mentioned Stoke, because many people have said that the only reason Liverpool didn't win the title this season was because of their inability to beat teams like Stoke and Fulham at home, but you'll never see Barcelona unable to beat sides like that.

Source: SKY_Sports