Stuart Pearce has suggested the Premier League should consider playing marquee matches around the world to help grow the sport.
Recent ideas for expanding the English game have included Chelsea owner Todd Boehly calling for a ‘North vs South All-Star game’ to take place annually involving top-flight players, with money raised then spread throughout the football pyramid.
In the past there has been talk of a possible ‘39th game’ in the Premier League season, an extra round of fixtures to take place in various territories to give overseas supporters a chance to watch teams live.
While Pearce does not support that idea, he is in favour of proposals to play certain matches abroad, believing the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham to be one strong option.
Pointing to the World Cup taking place in the winter this year, the pundit called for the sport to be more open to change.
“I’m against a 39th game but I’m in favour of a 38th game,” Pearce told talkSPORT.
“I wouldn’t want the extra game but within the calendar if you want to take one to a neutral ground somewhere. You take a fixture out the calendar – Spurs v Arsenal – whichever one it may be, and go and play it in the States.
“All our teams go to America, Australia and the Far East in pre-season to spread the word of the Premier League and endorse the financial incomes of the football club.
“Unless we try these things we don’t know whether they’ll work or not. There’s a Qatar World Cup mid-season and everyone thinks it won’t work.
“Well what evidence are you basing your statements on, none at all?”
