Premier League bosses appear set to go ahead with plans for all-star games despite Todd Boehly’s backlash

Proposals are reportedly being considered that could see a Premier League XI take on top players from other major European leagues.

The concept of a Premier League All-Star game was recently floated by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, who proposed a showdown between North and South.

However, Boehly’s suggestions were criticized, highlighting the contrast in views about importing a distinctly American aspect of the sport into the beautiful game.

However, according to a report from The timesDespite strong criticism leveled at the Chelsea owner, proposals for an All-Star Game have continued to gather momentum among Premier League bosses.

The idea would be for Premier League rivals to unite to face the best players from LaLiga, Serie A or the Bundesliga

The report suggests the most likely incarnation of the concept would take the form of a combined Premier League side taking on their counterparts from LaLiga, Serie A and the Bundesliga.

Such games would not be staged during the Premier League season, and instead would take place during breaks to allow the sport to be showcased in front of developing markets around the world.

A similar concept is currently implemented in MLS, with a representative team of top-flight American players facing off against a team made up of players from Mexico’s Liga MX.

The most recent MLS All-Star game saw the American team win 2-1 against their Mexican counterparts, with former Arsenal player Carlos Vela scoring the opening goal at Allianz Field.

Adding additional games to the already congested fixture list would provide an opportunity to extract additional revenue from television companies, but is unlikely to be favored by Premier League managers, particularly those whose teams compete in European competition.

MLS hosts an annual All-Star game in which a representative team faces off against their counterparts from the Mexican Liga MX.

Premier League bosses reportedly believe the All-Star concept would help grow the sport in developing markets.

Despite this, not all reactions to the concept of an all-star game from leading football figures have been outright negative.

Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard explained his point of view from the perspective of an active player.

‘From a personal point of view, I would love to see it. I would have loved to have played in it [the Premier League All-Star game].’

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, on the other hand, has long opposed initiatives designed to add more matches to the football calendar.

Asked about Boehly’s proposals following Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Ajax, the German manager expressed confusion over the logistics of the idea.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was less than impressed with Boehly’s suggestion that the Premier League should host a ‘North vs South All-Star Game’

“Forget that in the big sports in America, these players have four-month breaks and they’re pretty happy to be able to do a little bit of sport on these breaks. It is completely different in football.

‘What can I say? Want to bring in the Harlem Globetrotters too and let them play against a football team?

‘I’m surprised by the question, so please don’t judge my answers too much. Maybe you can explain it to me at some point and find a suitable date.