But there is a definitive Big Three (Spain, Italy, England), while that is not the case with a Big Four. So its not pointless at all.
Nah. England, Spain, and Italy are clearly the best three leagues in the world. After them, there's a sizable gap before you get to Germany, France, and Argentina, whose leagues are all pretty close. We can use a "big three" with no problem.
It is more about what team you are going to than what league. France is not in this Big Three of yours, but it would be much more of a positive benchmark for me if we had a guy going to Lyon or even Bordeaux than sending a guy to the Sampdoria reserves or EPL teams that are perennially threatened with relegation. Holland is very much not in the Big Three, but I would love to have us consistently sending guys through their academy system, much more so than going to England, except maybe for the academies at West Ham and Man City. That is my point.
What about Holland? I think if it were up to me, the Bundesliga would be the next one in line...but there is definately a "Big 3" with the leagues from Spain, England and Italy.
Current league rankings using UEFA coefficients: England Spain Italy France Germany Russia Romania Portugal Netherlands Scotland
Holland has slipped. The big movers are the Russians and Romanians powered though financing enabled by I'm guessing the commodities boom.
But yeah England, Italy, and Spain get 4 slots apiece for the CL. This would make them 'Big 3'. Don't know what criteria one would use for a Big 4
I wonder how much Ligue 1 is supported by OL and OM. Other than that, honestly, the league is pretty much shit. Been over here the majority of the season and don't remember being less impressed with the quality on the field and more astonished at the gap between the good and bad. It just takes one PSG match to catch that drift... However, Rennes is regarded as an above average squad by some of my more soccer-inclined (French) buddies... and it is certainly a step away from relegation for Boca. Good for him - he could use the PT if nothing else.