Wigan boss Martinez: Premier League is better than La Liga

Posted Sunday, April 15, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

Roberto Martinez believes that the Premier League is the best in the world but conceded that the two best teams on the planet hail from Spain.

The Spaniard’s relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic is known for its technical ability and passing game - attributes more common in Spanish football.

“It is very difficult to compare leagues, but for me the Premier League is still the best there is," he said. "La Liga has the two best clubs in the world. I don’t think there is anyone else to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona.

“But those two teams will be perhaps 30 points better off than the team that finishes third and that can’t be good for competition. Some will prefer the tactical approach to football in Spain. I have always been an admirer of possession football rather than the route-one approach."

Martinez believes that the variety of styles and competition up and down the table sets the English Premier League apart.

“But the diversity of football in England and the competitive nature of our game makes it the best," he added. "We all saw Bilbao beat Manchester United in the Europa League and after that people started talking about whether La Liga is now better than the Premier League.

“But Bilbao can’t play at the top level week in, week out – and that’s why for genuine competition, the Premier League is still the best.”