As Shakhtar Donetsk lifted the last ever Uefa Cup on Wednesday, some 37 years after Alan Mullery lifted the first, one could not help but wonder how many of their heroes might now grace Mullery’s homeland next season.
Make no mistake, the Ukrainians fully deserved their triumph over Werder Bremen, a triumph inspired by two Brazilians who would walk into most teams in The Premier League.
Think about it. If you were a manager of ‘the big four’, which flair players would you even consider signing from the other 16 clubs to improve your attack?
Arteta? Ashley Young? Valencia? Robinho? Shaun Wright-Phillips? Now you’re struggling.
When it comes to flair, there are probably as many options in the bottom 16 Premier League clubs as there are in Valencia’s squad alone. (Valencia are currently fifth in La Liga).
No wonder Premier League managers consistently look abroad and, after tonight, surely they’ll increase their focus on the Ukraine.
Shakhtar’s football at times was Arsenal like, with Jadson, Ilsinho and Willian all supplying Luiz Adriano up front. Two of those names, without a shadow of a doubt, would be welcome additions in England.
Match-winner Jadson is a well-known name inside football circles already. Had Werder Bremen’s Diego been available, the Uefa Cup final would have been billed as a battle of the Brazilian playmakers.
Playing in the hole, Jadson had already had a hand in five of Shakhtar’s goals on the way to the final, and his string-pulling performance in the final warranted the winning goal – albeit at the expense of a goalkeeper (Tim Wiese) who did not deserve to play the villain.
Partner in crime to Jadson was Willian, a man perhaps even more suited to The Premier League. Possessing pace, strength, trickery, and a direct route to goal, the Shakhtar number eight would love the helter-skelter pace of English football.
Liverpool and Chelsea, who have lacked genuine class out wide throughout the season, would be well-advised to take a look. So would Champions League-chasing Aston Villa and Everton.
Mullery lifted the trophy nearly four decades ago with English football on a pedestal. Now it is back at the top again, but The Premier League could do with more Jadsons and Willians if it is to justifiably claim to be the most entertaining league in the world.