So why have the Premier League's finest taken this approach to such an important part of their season preparations
? Some may point to the benefits of training in warmer foreign climates, even at Altitude in some cases. Other muted benefits are the team morale gained by taking a squad away together so they are forced to live and entertain together not simply train together then go home. Surely the biggest benefit is financial. The popularity of the English Premier League all around the year is immense and the traditional pre season exhibition games all over Asia have proved economically rewarding to the top sides with big match fees being coupled with sales of club merchandise to the many fans of the game. Whilst current pre season schedules is a natural step for the modern game I can't help missing the old style of pre season which pitched the top English sides against those in the lower leagues and gave us fans a chance to dream of what might be in the season ahead.