Facebook Pixel Code

In leagues of not their own

The Premier League has maximum representation, with 119 of the 736 players attached to an English club.

There?s a good chance that you?d have already stumbled upon more than half the faces you?ll see at the World Cup.

For, the ?G4? of European football ? England, Italy, Spain and Germany ? are also the biggest providers of players this World Cup, thus stamping their authority on world football. The heavyweights contribute nearly 50 percent of the total number of players taking part.

The Premier League has maximum representation, with 119 of the 736 players attached to an English club, of which 104 belong to an EPL from 2013-14 season. The Serie A has the second-most representation, with 80 players, followed by Bundesliga (74) and La Liga (62).

It?s in stark contrast to the last World Cup in Brazil, a clear indication of how much the game has globalized since. Back in 1950, every player in each of the 13 squads played for a club in his own country, except Jorge Robledo of Chile, who played for Newcastle United.

While these leagues have the largest presence, the composition of their own squads provides an interesting contrast. Spain have included nine players from foreign leagues, most ever in a World Cup. Germany, who boast of being a haven for some of the best strikers, are feeling an acute shortage of attacking options themselves. Joachim Loew has picked just one recognised striker, Miroslav Klose, in his squad of 23.

Holland, on the other hand, have found solace closer home. With five of their players ? including talented young defender Stefan de Vrij ? making the cut, Feyenoord is the main provider to the Dutch squad for the first time in 40 years.

The squad lists are of more than academic interest to clubs, since they are paid at a rate of $2,800 a day for players making the final 23-man cut. FIFA has set aside $70 million in all to make payments to the clubs of final squad players at Brazil 2014, up from $40 million four years ago.

At South Africa 2010, when the equivalent daily rate was $1,600, Barcelona received the highest payment of $866,267, with Bayern Munich second and Chelsea third. This time, it looks likely that the biggest payments will top $1 million. Curiously, the clubs from host nation Brazil have supplied just 18 players.

Get live Share Market updates, Stock Market Quotes, and the latest India News and business news on Financial Express. Download the Financial Express App for the latest finance news.

First published on: 05-06-2014 at 11:06 IST
Market Data
Market Data
Today’s Most Popular Stories ×