Boehly's All-Star Game idea would not work in England, says Rooney
Wayne Rooney insists Todd Boehly’s All-Star Game proposal would not work in England, but Mikel Arteta ‘loves the idea’
- Wayne Rooney is coaching the MLS All-Stars against Arsenal this week
- But he doesn’t think the event would translate well to English football
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Todd Boehly’s suggestion of a Premier League All-Star game was widely mocked last year, and with a front-row seat to MLS’ version, Wayne Rooney has sided with the Chelsea owner’s detractors.
DC United manager Rooney will lead the MLS All-Stars against Arsenal on Wednesday night, and while he’s looking forward to the match he thinks the idea would go down poorly in England.
‘I don’t think it would work, he said Tuesday. ‘I think everything over here is different, the culture is different. It’s a huge game here but I think in England there’s the rivalry between teams. Coaches would complain about players playing too much.
‘Over here, it’s part of this league, it’s great to be a part of but I think in England it wouldn’t work.
Mikel Arteta said he would’ve wanted to experience playing in an All-Star game
Wayne Rooney (center) poses with the 2023 MLS All-Star team at the National Mall in DcC
Todd Boehly previously suggested an All-Star game but the idea was met with skepticism
Meanwhile, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta viewed the proposition from the lens of his younger years.
‘If I was a player for sure I [would’ve] wanted to experience that,’ he said at a press conference held after Rooney’s.
Still, the 41-year-old acknowledged that the game – which is serving as a preseason tune-up for his side – would cause complications at a different point in the year.
‘For me as an Arsenal coach to play against the MLS All-Stars is great,’ Arteta said. ‘I love the idea, I love the experience and I think it’s great.
‘If you asked me the other way around when it was in the middle of the season, probably I [wouldn’t be] that happy to let a lot of players go.’
The Spaniard’s side will be hoping to go one better after stumbling in April and allowing Manchester City to pass them for their fourth league title in five seasons.
(L-R) Jesus Ferreira, Luciano Acosta and Rooney with Arsenal manager Arteta, Eddie Nketiah and Martin Odegaard as they attend a press conference ahead of the MLS All-Star Game
Rooney spoke of his admiration for Arteta and his hopes to manage in the Premier League
Nonetheless, Arteta’s title-challenging side was viewed as largely ahead of schedule last season and Rooney counts himself as an admirer of the coach, who’s four years his senior.
‘He’s done incredible really… as a young coach it’s great to see,’ he said. ‘Of course coaches have their own ways and their own styles and their own identities. And he’s been fantastic, and I’m sure working with [Pep] Guardiola helped him massively as well.
‘He’s someone who, that’s where you want to get to as a young coach – into the top teams and obviously being in the Premier League.’
Wednesday’s match is merely an exhibition, but Rooney will surely look to show that he belongs in England’s top flight as well.
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