SEA OF RED: Mỹ Đình Stadium could be the perfect venue for the Premier League to end their season. VNA/VNS Photo
By Paul Kennedy
Dear people in charge of football in England,
You don’t know me, I’m not mental or anything, I just think I may be in a position to help.
It seems that you guys are in a bit of a pickle right about now as you try to come up with a workable solution that will please everyone to get the season back up and running.
It’s been almost two months since a ball was kicked in anger and let’s face facts, you are no closer to finding an answer now than you were when matches were first suspended back in March.
I get it’s a tough ask, and you are clearly walking on ground that has never been trodden on before. But you know as well as I do, a solution really needs to be found and found pretty quickly.
Teams at the top want to carry on, those at the bottom facing relegation are calling for the plug to be pulled.
But fear not. I have come up with an answer that will solve all your problems.
Two words. Việt and Nam.
I know Australia has offered itself up as a place where you can play all the remaining games, but that’s too far away, and nowhere near as cool as VIệt Nam. Plus beers are cheaper here, but we’ll get to that later.
When it comes to football, I can honestly say hand on heart you won’t find a more passionate bunch of fans in the world as those in Việt Nam.
If the Vietnamese national team wins a game then the streets quite simply come alive. I’ve never seen anything like it. When they win a tournament, then wow, it’s insane.
As far as stadiums are concerned, there’s no problem there either. Granted, don’t expect the likes of Old Trafford or White Hart Lane, but you can’t deny a packed Mỹ Đình Stadium is a million times better than an empty Etihad.
The pitches are perfectly playable and the facilities more than adequate, and the Premier League is loved from Hà Nội to Hồ Chí Minh City, so the atmosphere will be top class.
A few teams are whining right now they are a little strapped for cash, but don’t worry, there are plenty of decent hotel deals at the moment and the food is not only amazing, but also cheap as chips.
And I know Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is partial to a beer or two, so I would personally like to ask him to join me for a few bia hơis, I’ll even pay.
Travel wise, again, I’ll think you’ll be ok. You may have to spend a little time in one of the many excellent military quarantine centres around the country, but these places have plenty of space so you can have a bit of a kick about.
At this point it is probably only right for me to say I actually have absolutely no authority whatsoever to be in a position to offer you all of the above.
But this is after all Việt Nam, a country where not only anything is possible, but where you will also be greeted with the warmest of welcomes.
If you do want to take me up on this offer, get in touch, but if you decide to pass, then you really, really must get the wheels in motion very soon.
England is on a downer right now, as is most of the world. And getting the beautiful game back as safely as possible will surely go a long way to putting smiles back on people’s faces.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Kennedy
OVietnam