When the influx first looked like coming, foreign ownership ofclubs was rallied against as the beginning of the end for Englishfootball — with dire warnings that fans would lose theconnection with their local club as the sport became more aboutmaking money than providing entertainment. The same was said of foreign players, of course, when theysuddenly began descending on their Premier League around 15 yearsearlier. The likes of Eric Cantona and Dennis Bergkamp would obstructEnglish talent from shining, it was widely believed. In fact, theopposite has been proven to be true, as the many others whofollowed those legendary players to English shores have helpedimproved the native technique and ability beyond almost allrecognition. Few predicted the Premier League would get stronger withforeign players but, having contributed Champions League finalistsin each of the last five seasons, that has proven to be the case. Few predicted foreign ownership would lead to a morecompetitive league but, perhaps belatedly, even unexpectedly, thatis suddenly becoming the case. After all, some of the traditional powerhouses of Englishfootball have seemingly been handicapped by their foreign owners inrecent times, while others from the middle of the English pack havebeen able to burst forward under the ambitious direction of new menin…