The Premier League is facing increasing pressure from its member clubs to allow them to play reserve teams in the lower leagues or at least to have formal links with nursery clubs.
It is realised that any such move would be strongly opposed by the Football League and enrage fans who would see it as further evidence of an unhealthy dominance by the top flight.
Nevertheless, there is a real dilemma about how one develops players in the 18-21 age group. Less than 35 per cent of Premier League starting XIs are English. One might then argue that clubs should use fewer foreign imports.
The Premier League is facing increasing pressure from its member clubs to allow them to play reserve teams in the lower leagues or at least to have formal links with nursery clubs.
It is realised that any such move would be strongly opposed by the Football League and enrage fans who would see it as further evidence of an unhealthy dominance by the top flight.
Nevertheless, there is a real dilemma about how one develops players in the 18-21 age group. Less than 35 per cent of Premier League starting XIs are English. One might then argue that clubs should use fewer foreign imports.
However, there are many reasons why they do so. First, it is thought that they often offer better value, at least in terms of transfer fees. Second, they appeal to the global television audience which is becoming increasingly key to the marketing strategies of clubs. Third, you can’t block the movement of players within the European Union. This also applies to European Economic Area countries such as Norway and Iceland and in principle to Switzerland (how the recent referendum vote plays out remains to be seen).
Clubs therefore send out their up and coming stars on loan. For example, Chelsea regularly send players to Vitesse Arnhem in the Netherlands. Chelsea have as many as 25 players scattered around other clubs. However, clubs say that the loan system is hit and miss and that nursery clubs would allow them to install their own coaches.
The other development route is the Barclays Under-21 Premier League which is a revamped reserve competition. From next season promotion and relegation will be introduced.
However, it is acknowledged that this change does not go far enough and the Premier League is now trying to set up a ‘PL2’ competition which would be televised, It has been suggested that the league club could include PL2 teams, but with a restriction on the number of under age players, formalising what many clubs do anyway. If this wasn’t possible, there might be a new cup competition involving lower league clubs, perhaps replacing the ‘paint drying’ cup.
Clubs may not be satisfied and simply see it as a rebranding of the under-21 league. What is more there is thought to be some support for a nursery club system in Greg Dyke’s FA Commission which will be presenting the FA board with a first version of its report at the end of the month.
Step forward, new Charlton Athletic owner Roland Duchâtelet. He owns directly or indirectly six clubs across Europe in Belgium, England, Germany, Hungary and Spain. He hopes to add clubs from Italy or Portugal to his stable soon.
He thinks that the way to run football is to have lots of clubs rather than lots of players. Some of the clubs can then be used as development sides with the mother ship currently being Standard Liege, although if he sells the Pro League leaders that mantle could move to Charlton.
It’s the kind of cross-national arrangement that appeals to the European Commission, integrating football across Europe. Is the microelectronics multi-millionaire who hates the phrase ‘it’s always been done that way’ ahead of the curve or as barking as my Belgian Shepherd dog? Time will tell, but I think he may be on to something.