Every time I read speculation about transfers, someone mentions the new UEFA rules and how Wenger must buy English players to ensure that we are set up for the 2007/08 season when they come into effect. But has anyone actually analysed the squad to see the effects of the rule?
Basically, the new UEFA rule states that each team must field eight players (in the 2007/08 season) that have spent three seasons between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one at the academy of the club (four of them may be imported from other clubs in your federation) but there is no nationality restriction. It appears from the rule that if a player is 20 at the start of the season (let us say 1 September when the transfer window is closed), that season counts as one of the three seasons even if the player is 21 by the 20th of September. In reality then, the team must maintain two rosters, one of 17 players who have no links to the club or federation before they are eighteen and another of an undetermined number who must meet the UEFA conditions. Of course, a club could have more than the 17 foreigners but they can only name 17 in their UEFA squad, so what is the point of having surplus foreigners?
A few days ago I posted a list of 35 players who form the end of season squad assuming the loanees return and Bergkamp retires. I listed them by position. Listing them as academy or non-academy produces the following:
Non-academy: Lehmann, Almunia, Poom, Eboue, Lauren, Toure, Cygan, Ljungberg, Hleb, Pires, Reyes, Gilberto, Flamini, Diaby, Henry, Adebayor, Van Persie,
Academy: Cole, Clichy, Senderos, Campbell, Hoyte, Gilbert, Garry, Connolly, Fabregas, Song, Muamba, Smith, Larsson, Stokes, Walcott, Lupoli, Bendtner, Aliadiere
Amazingly, the squad is perfectly balanced with only 17 non-academy players. Effectively, if the new rule was introduced in full tomorrow, Arsenal would have no problem complying with it. Roll on forward to the start of next season, excluding departures, there are two vacancies in the squad for non-academy players as the requirement for 2006/07 is only for six players. By 2007/08, we can certainly expect (let’s keep praying) that Cygan will have left. Of the other 16, I suspect Pires will have also left. There are three goalkeepers in the 17. If Mannone comes through to take the third place spot, that will free up one more space. As a result, Wenger can afford to sign three players over the next two summers who are not qualified as academy players, without any other departures. These three players can be exceptional players, ready to go straight into the first team. As well as that, he can keep signing eighteen year olds to fill up the academy places. Of course, he can also sign any number of English players. An English signing that replaces one of the non-academy players (e.g. Nolan for Gilberto) will free up a further place for a foreign superstar.
Conclusion: I believe that Wenger will not have to look to England to sign players. Whether we like it or not, he believes he has the nucleus of a squad that will see him through the next four or five years. Given the spaces I have identified in the 17, he can sign up to three world-class players without upsetting the UEFA rules. At the same time he can continue to go around picking up kids wherever he sees them. Whether this is good or bad for the kids is not an issue for Wenger.
Of course, this analysis does not take account of any departures. For example, if Cole leaves or Campbell retires, and there are no kids to replace them, Wenger will have to either sign English replacements or use up one of his three spaces. This will limit his options. At the same time, if Flamini leaves for regular football, or Gilberto or Henry move on to apparently greener pastures, spaces in the 17 are freed up. Either way, in trying to predict future moves in the transfer market, it would be no harm to keep an eye on how any moves affect the above rosters.
9 Responses to “Why Wenger doesn’t need to buy any English players”
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March 26th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
It’s a stupid rule which will be challenged under ECC labour laws.
This has always been the problem between professional sports and national teams. Like booze and autos they don’t mix.
Professional football is a business and such rules will be considered rules or tariffs on a business, thus creating an unfair environment to find employee. National teams are not a business.
March 26th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
You forgot to mention Johan Djourou. Another academy player.
March 26th, 2006 at 10:15 pm
I find the new rule very complicating.
March 26th, 2006 at 10:44 pm
This rule has nothing to do with football. It would make sens if they say minimum EU players or maximum non EU players.
But as if the whole 17++ plays in the CL. We can afford not sending Poom or Cygan.
I think English players are needed just becuase we are an english team, and cause u need some love from the Refs. WE cant afford the treatment we had against Newcastle again.
March 26th, 2006 at 10:59 pm
The idea of this ruling is to encourage clubs putting in a bit more effort on home growth talents. But to me, it’s like an attempt to turn the tide that it cannot be turned.
Since the introduction of EU, the idea is to allow free movement for the players between the countries. Naturally there would be more and more players playing in leagues outside of their own nation.
The bottom line here is - if you are GOOD enough, you wouldn’t have to worry a thing. Take French players as an example, look how many of them are playing abroad. Many in the big leagues. WHY? Because they are GOOD.
Some of the English media/fans/coaches/players keep complaining the foreigners are stealing away their job opportunities. But if a French, a Dutch, a Spanish can go playing at England, nobody stops any English player going overseas and play right?
Take Pennant, if he’s really as good as he believe he is, he shouldn’t have to worry AW signed a player like Hleb to take away his first team opportunity with Arsenal. If he’s really that good, Inter, Valencia, Real Madrid the likes would throw him an offer wouldn’t they? But nah… he’s now end up at Birmingham. And sulking about Arsene don’t like playing English.
Football is about talent. If a player is good enough, he can get his opportunity anywhere.
March 26th, 2006 at 11:25 pm
Right on!
As for Pennant, I hope he doesn’t complain too much if he ends up the Coke-Cola league - thing aren’t looking so good for the Brummies.
How about a quota on foreign owners in England? There is a novel thought.
The English should just accept the modern world. I live in Canada, in Toronto I walk around in some neighbourhoods and am the minority group as the Lilly assed white guy. I know London has this to, Arsenal is an English Club in the EPL, playing for three English Trophies and one European as an English Club. What’s all this fuss about.
I live near Detroit also, and let me tell you about stealing job opportunities there, they left and went to Mexico. Do I like it - NO - it’s just the way it is in this modern world.
So why punish the Brazilians, they’re going to hurt the most in Europe with this.
March 27th, 2006 at 1:11 am
Why do you keep putting Gilberto Down? Honestly really do you think nolan can play anything like Gilberto? Gilberto may not be flashy or score a lot of goals like Nolan but his contribution in the arsenal revival cannot go unnoticed. He has been the wall in front of the defence and his presence in the team allows Fabregas the freedom to roam all over the pitch. So please give Gilberto the credit he DESERVES.
March 27th, 2006 at 1:38 am
I mentioned West Ham’s Nigel Reo-Coker as a possible buy for AW. I have also been watching Sylvan Distin for a few years now and he seems to get better and better every year with experience and is still I believe only 26 year old.
At centre back it would look a very good buy who I bet would not cost more than $10m at most. He is very fast and has a frame very much in the mould of a Sol Campbell….what do you guys say?
March 27th, 2006 at 3:21 am
i just think dat wenger thinks that the environment in which da english players especially da young players are trained are not typically induced 2 da fast paced games which he likes his team 2 play.
if u have noticed barca and to some extent roma play da kind of game which we play.and both these teams have to a certain extent players who r really fast .thats why he looks 2 spain and holland
for more young players who already have got the basics right and need little more tuning 2 fit into the arsenal team.so basically thats what he thinks.english players as wenger himself has admitted may train for say 4 hrs on a weekend compared to a player in a brazil who may train 14 hrs on a weekend.sothat is y he brings in players frm outside england