As we get down to the business end of what most people agree is the best World Cup in living memory, the Premier League feels a long way away. It’s not: in 45 days, the whole crazy circus that England’s top flight begins again. So what can the Premier League learn from the brilliant World Cup? And how will this World Cup change the Premier League?
據《每日電訊報》報導，大多數人會認同這樣一個觀點：最好的世界盃將永遠留在人們的記憶中，而英超聯賽還有很長一段路要走。這並不是說在45天後，瘋狂的英超聯賽又將拉開序幕。那麼英超聯賽可以從這屆精彩的世界盃身上學到什麼呢?這屆巴西世界盃又將會怎樣改變英超聯賽呢?
There’s no substitute for true quality
1.世界級球員無可替代
England did pretty well against Uruguay, but the one world-class player on the pitch, Luis Suarez, scored two goals. At least he didn’t bite anybody. Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t have a tournament to remember, but did deliver a brilliant cross to keep his side in the World Cup against the USA. And Lionel Messi has already spared Argentine blushes, with crucial goals against Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Once Suarez leaves Liverpool, we will return to the status quo: the very, very best do not play in England. They must be lured here!
英格蘭對陣烏拉圭表現相當好，但是超級巨星蘇亞雷斯獨中兩元，導致英格蘭最後輸了比賽。蘇神表現搶眼，至少在這場比賽中沒有咬人。C羅也沒有給球迷帶來值得銘記的比賽，但是在葡萄牙對陣美國的那場比賽，最後時刻確實給球迷帶來了一記精彩的傳球助攻，最後還扳平了比分。梅西表現出色，這次沒有讓阿根廷人在世界球迷面前丟臉，對陣伊朗和波赫都打入關鍵進球。一旦蘇亞雷斯離開利物浦，我們會回到以前的狀態：出色的球員都不在英超聯賽踢球。英超聯賽必須吸引他們，讓他們留在這裡。
But if you don’t have that, then work together
2.如果球隊沒有超級巨星，那麼只能靠團隊精神
USA, Algeria, Costa Rica, Greece… all countries without too many stars but all countries who have done better than England. England is a team made up of star players, and we play like a bunch of people who have only just met. Teamwork and discipline can overcome a lot.
美國、阿爾及利亞、哥斯大黎加、希臘……這些國家都沒有超級巨星，但是他們都踢地比英格蘭好。英格蘭是一隻由明星球員組成的球隊，但我們就像一群剛剛湊到一塊的烏合之眾，毫無默契可言，團隊精神和嚴明的隊內紀律可以戰勝很多東西。
Quick attacking play is the way
3.快速進攻或許是一條明路
Tiki taka is dead: long live fast, thrilling aggression. The most exciting teams in the World Cup – Chile, Colombia – have played a high energy game with fluid movement. For once, it feels like the Premier League should be able to replicate the methods of international football. We were never going to pass it to death like Spain and Barcelona, but we might be able to play with the tempo and passion of a Colombia or Bayern Munich.
Tiki taka (是由「全能足球」演變而成的足球戰術，其特點是短距離傳送和頻繁跑動，核心理念是保持控球權)已成過去。快速反擊，令人毛骨悚然的傾略性進攻才是永遠奏效的。智利、哥倫比亞是本屆世界盃上最令人振奮的兩個球隊，充滿正能量的比賽，流水般的攻防轉換，酣暢淋漓。對於曾經的英超聯賽，感覺能夠複製任何國際足球最有效的戰術踢法。我們不會踢Tiki taka ，不想像西班牙，巴薩那樣死的那麼慘，但是我們可以複製哥倫比亞和拜仁慕尼黑的速度與激情。