This season sees the introduction of a Home Grown Player rule in the Premiership which will limit the size of squads and where they are sourced from. This is not the result of any intervention by Fifa and Uefa: their efforts to have a 6+5 rule foundered on the rocks of EU law (although the Champions League does require eight out of 25 players to be home grown, four from a club’s academy). It’s the result of an agreement by the Premiership clubs, although no doubt pressure on them to develop rather than buy players was one reason that pushed them to introduce the rule
This season sees the introduction of a Home Grown Player rule in the Premiership which will limit the size of squads and where they are sourced from. This is not the result of any intervention by Fifa and Uefa: their efforts to have a 6+5 rule foundered on the rocks of EU law (although the Champions League does require eight out of 25 players to be home grown, four from a club’s academy). It’s the result of an agreement by the Premiership clubs, although no doubt pressure on them to develop rather than buy players was one reason that pushed them to introduce the rule.
‘Home grown’ does not refer to British citizenship or birth. It means a player developed by an English or Welsh club for at least three years before they turn 21. So a French player of African origin could be signed at 17 or 18 and would qualify as home grown.
By transfer deadline day at the end of August, teams will submit squad lists with a maximum of 25 players over 21, at least eight of whom are ‘home grown’. They can supplement the squads with as many under 21s as they like. They can alter their 25s during the winter transfer window and there are special arrangements to cover a goalkeeping crisis.
Manchester City face the biggest problem. Last season they used 30 over-21 players in the Premier League and they have been adding to their squad. Players will have to be loaned out, but City will probably have to subsidise their salaries given the large payments they receive.