'It stinks!' - Ex-Chelsea star expects Premier League to keep 'looking after the elite' by agreeing deal to stage games in United States

The American broadcasting giants are reportedly keen for the opening matches of the Premier League season to be played in the U.S., where EPL broadcasting is more lucrative than in any other overseas nation. Former Chelsea and Blackburn star Sutton is one of many pundits that are highly suspicious of the move, but on the latest edition of the It's All Kicking Off podcast, he predicted that it's inevitable "because money dictates everything".

Sutton said: 'I do I think it will happen eventually, probably because money dictates everything. But just think back to the start of the season. Do you think the U.S. audience would have enjoyed an opening game of Sheffield United against Burnley? It's about just looking after the big boys, isn't it, commercially? Looking after the elite. And that's why it stinks a bit. It will not stink if it's the same across the board. If everybody is involved and every team in the Premier League gets a shot at it."

The Premier League recently confirmed that it has no plans to stage matches in the U.S. right now, but NBC Sports are continuing to push for games to be played across the pond. An increasing number of friendly matches between English teams are taking place in the U.S., encapsulated by the Premier League Summer Series, but the vast majority of fans in the UK believe that playing EPL matches abroad is a step too far.

While debates about matches in America rumble along in the background, the Premier League is still hurtling towards its end-of-season climax. Most teams only have two matches yet and the league title is still up for grabs, with Arsenal hoping to topple Manchester City in the closest title race for years.