With Brexit, the entire United Kingdom will be undergoing massive change. Its biggest passion, football, is no exception.
Recently, the English Premier League introduced a rule that bans clubs from signing foreign players under 18 years old. Additionally, clubs can only sign three under-21 international players, who will be allowed into the country using a point-based permit system.
The Premier League, which has always attracted the finest young players from every corner of the world, may not seem so attractive after all. Many effects could be in store for all PL clubs.
Firstly, there will be less imported talent. This, at face-value is an obvious negative for the league. The other leagues though, now more interesting, will pick up more exciting players. Competition will increase as teams broaden with more talent.
Back in England, they will have to rely on other methods of building. Of course, each club has their own academy for use. Clubs like Chelsea, who produce many youngsters of English descent, will not have to worry. Manchester United on the other hand, who have recently bought many foreign under-18 players such as Facundo Pellistri, Hannibal Mejbri, and in the past, Paul Pogba, may be in trouble. Similarly, Wolves have recently adopted a Portoguese talent factory of their own – with recent foreign under-18 acquisition Fabio Silva – may also begin to fret. Though, with the talent of England on the rise already, their overall talent pool as a nation may skyrocket as clubs are forced to rely on what they can find.
The Premier League is also famous for failed talent, which the new rule could work to mitigate and end up benefiting many unfortunate clubs. Coming to mind would be Manchester United, who have signed talents like Memphis Depay, Adnan Januzaj, and Anderson; all whose tenure was short lived. Many other clubs have had many other names that cost them a lot of money, with little reward. The new rule helps them too. Clubs, instead of turning to others, will look more closely at their own talents first. Some teams could be much better off if this rule had been enacted earlier.
Firstly, the aforementioned Manchester United would have a lot less disappointment, and a lot more money in their pockets. Their neighbors Manchester City would be in the same boat, likely having held onto a talent like Jadon Sancho, and not having to dig a hole in their budgets. These clubs will avoid more of the same regret in the future.
The rule is set to be enacted for this January’s transfer window, and from that point there will be a fundamental change in many Premier League clubs’ mentalities.