Pep Guardiola weighs in on Premier League All-Star match debate

Pep Guardiola has provided his thoughts on the idea around a potential Premier League All-Star game.

Since Todd Boehly’s comments about English football taking inspiration from the NBA to conduct a Premier League All-Star game, many fans and pundits alike have expressed their disagreement about the idea.

The new Chelsea owner had suggested that a one-off contest between players from teams based in both the North and the South of England could be conducted.

Boehly led a consortium which took over Chelsea for £4.25 billion in May.

Owner of Chelsea Todd Boehly in the stands ahead of the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. (Alamy)

Despite the American’s intention being to ensure that the match generates enough revenue that it can be redistributed within the English football pyramid, several detractors felt he had no right to make such outlandish suggestions, having just made his way into the sport.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp spoke his mind about why the idea was doomed to fail, considering it could mean a whole host of players pick up injuries, especially after a gruelling campaign.

Ahead of Manchester City’s win over Wolves on Saturday afternoon, the same question about the Premier League All-Star game was raised to none other than Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Image: PA Images/Alamy)

“I don’t have opinion," he replied in his press conference.

When asked if he has no opinion on the ongoing debate, the Spanish manager briefly responded saying: “Nothing at all.”

The 51-year old was then questioned about whether he would like to be a part of such an idea one day.

“I don’t have opinion, so I agree with Jurgen [Klopp]. If they give me the dates when this should be played, that would be nice. But I don’t have opinion.”

Several managers across the Premier League are also understood to be worried about the ramifications of such a match, were it to be organised in the future.

With a game such as this expected to feature some of the biggest names the English top-flight has to offer, a list of players could potentially be at risk of getting injured.

Unlike in the NBA where players have around a two month-break due to off season, which allows such an exhibition clash to be held.

Manchester City featured in 58 competitive matches last season, while the Blues played in a whopping 61 games in the 2020/21 campaign.

City once again are competing on four fronts this season, as well as the upcoming hiatus for the World Cup in Qatar, which over a dozen Blues stars are set to feature in.

Considering players at elite clubs compete throughout the year, representing their club and countries, Pep Guardiola’s request to discover a schedule around such a contest is seemingly justified.