Premier League Rule Changes
The two new rules changes to the Premier League are seemingly small, but they could have a big impact. One of the reasons for England’s failure in the World Cup was due to the lack of opportunities for young English players to get experience in the Premier League. The number of overseas players in the league was having a negative effect on the quality of the national team.
The rule changes are designed to increase the number of “home grown” players in the Premier League, thus improving the pool of talent available for the national team. Clubs with 25-man squads must have at least eight home grown players at the end of each transfer window. It is a good idea but it remains to be seen whether it will make a noticeable difference.
Home grown players do not have to be English. Instead, they are defined not by nationality or age, but by their affiliation to the FA or Welsh FA for three season or 36 months prior to their 21st birthday. Therefore, for example, Arsenal could class Cesc Fabregas as home grown. If he wasn’t sold, Manchester United could have done the same with Cristiano Ronaldo.
The second rule states that clubs can supplement their squad with an unlimited number of players under the age of 21. This is not mandatory. It’s a good rule for clubs looking to stack up on young talent. It will help the England national side as there should be more young English players included within the squads. But, the top English clubs pay a hefty price for young teenagers from overseas, and that probably won’t change. So, home grown players are still likely to be from somewhere other than England.
The 2010 World Cup had a final between Germany and Spain where all 22 players play in their own country. It will take more rules like this if we want England to be in that same position.