The BBC's recent pre-season analysis of "Where the Premier League's players come from" offered a
striking picture of the dramatic demographic changes in European soccer over recent decades.
Comparing the EPL's 2009-2010 rosters with the same clubs' 1989-1990 rosters, I was particularly
struck by the influx of African players.
Just like there is only one true Mecca, can really only be one true spiritual home of world soccer?
Until recently, such a place existed in the form of Wembley Stadium (the most storied grounds in
the capital city of the founding nation of the sport? I don't think anybody could compete with
that) but the old Wembley was demolished in 2003 and replaced with a new version four years later.
