Learn a little more about the histories and fortunes of the biggest names in gaming as we look at their striking similarities with English top-flight clubs
There are admittedly few obvious similarities between the rapidly-growing virtual world of eSports and elite-level football, the most popular of all traditional sports.
But to help you gain a better understanding of the backgrounds of some of the biggest teams in the business when it comes to major games such as League of Legends and Dota 2, we decided to draw some tongue-in-cheek comparisons with their top-flight equivalents.
This is eSports, Premier-League style…
Manchester United – LGD Gaming
In addition to them being immensely popular across the whole of Asia, it is the recent trajectories of these two sides that mark them out as being rather similar.
Both have been very strong historically, but after enjoying much success in the recent past they have suddenly hit a blip.
The cracks really started to show around October last year, when Manchester United’s Champions League campaign hit trouble with a draw against CSKA Moscow before three consecutive 0-0 draws summed up their struggles domestically.
LGD, meanwhile, were also hoping to showcase their pedigree on the big stage after coming into the first week of Worlds 2015 as one of the favourites only to be defeated by Origen, KT Rolster and then Team SoloMId to leave them 0-3 and staring down the barrel.
They did manage some consolation with two victories in Week 2 but still ended up being eliminated third in the group stages – much like Louis van Gaal’s team in their ill-fated European campaign.
The final similarity would be their desire to flash the cash, with United forking out around £250m during the last two seasons and LGD going all out to sign imp last year followed by Marin – the best top-laner in the world and the equivalent of eSports royalty.
Neither side have reaped much reward from their considerable outlay so far, but let’s see what the future brings…
Chelsea – Fnatic
Much like Chelsea’s dramatic demise – going from Premier League champions last May to sacking Jose Mourinho and languishing at the wrong end of the table by the end of the year – League of Legends team Fnatic have learned exactly how quickly fortunes can fade.
With a magnetic head coach of their own in Luis ‘Deilor’ Sevilla, they won both EU LCS splits, had an 18-0 regular season and reached the semi-finals of the World Championships after he took charge in January 2015.
However, after a summer of disruption similar to Chelsea’s, they lost three starters – see TSM below – and are currently getting mixed results in the 2016 season.
The coach’s comments? “We basically need to rebuild the team from scratch.”
Given the Blues’ recent revival under Guus Hiddink such a statement may be a little over-dramatic, but there can be no doubt that both teams still have a long way to go in order to hit their former heights.
Everton – Team SoloMid
Like Everton, Team SoloMid are a talented side on paper who are not currently achieving their full potential when it comes to playing games.
The Toffees recently suffered heartbreak in the League Cup semi-final, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Manchester City despite leading 3-1 until the 70th minute of the second leg.
TSM, meanwhile, were well ahead of rivals Immortals in the NA LCS back in January before being floored by a late-game push.
Both teams should be heartened by their squad strength and potential, however.
TSM are still bedding in Fnatic’s ex in-game leader, the hugely talented YellOwStaR, and coupled with the rest of their team the future looks extremely bright.
Similarly, it is no exaggeration to say that Everton have one of the best squads that they have seen for more than a generation, packed with young English talent.
If each team can pull it all together, then watch out.
Leicester City – NewBee
Only founded in 2014, NewBee emerged after the Chinese reshuffle fallout before The International 4.
In their first real exposure to the spotlight, NewBee struggled early on in TI4, hanging on by the skin of their teeth with a 7-8 record in the second play-offs including two tie breakers – much like newly-promoted Leicester, who pulled off a miraculous escape from relegation with seven wins from their last nine matches.
The Foxes have continued where they left off this season, and sit an incredible three points clear at the top of the table heading into the home straight having beaten off all of the more established teams along the way.
NewBee, meanwhile, have shown their own remarkable ability to become a surprise package capable of upsetting the odds.
From the position of ninth in TI4, they didn’t lose another series throughout the tournament.
Clawing their way into the main event, they downed Titan, Natus Vincere, Invictus Gaming, Vici Gaming, Evil Geniuses and then Vici Gaming once again to take home just over $1m each – the largest eSports prize ever offered at the time.
From underdogs to top dogs – the fairytale stories of both teams is eerily similar.
Are there any comparisons between Premier League and eSports teams you think we’ve missed? Then let us know via @betwayesports.
READ: A brief history of eSports: How the game stream went mainstream
