If you missed that article, rules state that clubs must now select a 25 man squad, and that this squad cannot be changed until January. Of those 25, 8 must be 'homegrown', which means they must have trained with an English or Welsh club for 3 years before they turned 21. Teams are allowed to boost the number of selectable players beyond 25, but these may not be over the age of 21 (as of January this year) and, I believe, the kids don't have to be homegrown.
So let me just dive straight in. The names there are my picks from the players we currently have available. (a * denotes homegrown)
Gomes, Cudicini, Alnwick*
King* Dawson*, Naughton*, Bassong, Kaboul, Corluka, BAE, Hutton
Hudd*, Modric, Krancjar, Lennon*, Jenas*, Palacios, Bentley*, O'Hara*
Defoe*, Crouch*, Keane*, Pav.
King* Dawson*, Naughton*, Bassong, Kaboul, Corluka, BAE, Hutton
Hudd*, Modric, Krancjar, Lennon*, Jenas*, Palacios, Bentley*, O'Hara*
Defoe*, Crouch*, Keane*, Pav.
So, from our current crop we have 12 homegrown, which is quite good as it definitely gives us room to manouvre in the transfer market.
Eagle eyed readers will notice there's only 23 names above, but I can't think of anyone else who'd be named. You're probably wondering where Gareth Bale is? Well he only turned 21 a couple of weeks ago, so he doesn't have to be named in the 25.
In addition to Bale, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose might be expected to get some game time this season. Taarabt also counts (he turned 21 in May), which makes me think he might stay. Dos Santos was also under 21 in January and I'd love to see him stay, but I guess he'll be loaned. If he's not in the squad but is eligible then I assume we can recall him at any time if need be.
So, how do we need to refine the group...
Firstly, Alnwick will be replaced by Pletikosa should that deal go through - and I think it will. Thant knocks us down to 11.
You look at that list and you have to wonder whether Naughton and Hutton are going to make it. Naughton is nearly 22 so would have to take a squad place and Scots don't count as homegrown (but Welshies do, seems strange!). As Kaboul, Corluka, Naughton, Hutton and Walker are all capable of playing RB, the evidence seems to suggest that Hutton will go, Naughton maybe loaned, however as we're already thin on the ground maybe he will stay?
Plans for Bale remain a mystery - is he LB or LM? I'd like to see us bring in a quality LB and move BAE down to 3rd choice as I think the man is a bloody liability.
One look at the midfield list and it maybe becomes a bit more apparent why we were after Joe Cole. I think we have room for one more top quality player in that list. We have the boy Sandro, but can't see him making the squad before January, I'm not even sure he's joining us before September.
Will O'Hara be given another chance, will Jenas be sold? I'm struggling to think of any other senior players for their positions and I can't see us getting rid of 2 of our English quota.
Up front the talk is of Keane going and Pav being loaned. Robbie has looked sharp in the States, and Wolves signed him young enough for him to count as homegrown. You know what, I'd keep him!
Pav out and another foreigner in (eg. Huntelaar) wouldn't bother me, but I fail to see the point in loaning him. Anyway, he seems as though he wants to dig his heels and fight for a place so good on him.
So, in terms of our homegrown quota we have Hudd, Lennon, King, Daws, Bale, Defoe and Crouch as definite. Keane, Jenas, Bentley and O'Hara in the balance and Alnwick gone.
I can see Bentley staying for sure, so that's our 8. Bit risky to just creep over the line though isn't it? Would love to see Jenas exchanged, Keane kept and O'Hara being part of the squad.
As for reported targets, here's my take:
- Pletikosa: done.
- Richards: Would be nice, but surely Citeh need to hang on to an English player or two
- Suarez: Hell will freeze over before Levy spends £30m+ on one player
- Huntelaar: More our price range
- Parker: Hmm, could see this working, but don't see the Spammers letting him go
- Bellamy: I hate him but.. Homegrown, cheap, fast, clinical. On his way.
Oh dear - all that reading and no conclusion, sorry - you'll have to make your own minds up!
18 comments:
I think Sandro will make the squad and would like to see O'hara get a spot too
Bale would still have to be named. The additional players under the age of 21 can only be used in exceptional circumstances.
Bale and Sandro would make 25
Sorry Steve, says here that the squad can be supplimented with unlimited U21 players:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8858634.stm
Sandro counts as under-21 - and contrary to what Steve said, players under the age of 21 can be used at any time.
15:32 is right - Sandro turned 21 in March.
think it said somewhere U21 at 01/01/2011...if Bale just turned 21 then he needs to be in the 25. I dunno, just going on other threads, not got his birth certif
The U21 date is January 2010.
Wikipedia puts his 21st birthday as July 16th just gone.
I have you right...23 man squad with the rest as U21. That new GK makes it 24.
But with most new buys, i think we will see others moving on - Suarez in (never going to happen) Keane out. Richards in Hutton out.
I think we have no problem this season, even accommodaitng Woody. Its in years to come when the likes of Rose, Bale, Taarabt, GDS etc are over 21. Suddenly we'll have loads of players to accommodate in the squad but no room without getting rid of current players
It adds another level of planning when developing/building our squad. Our squad this year maybe fine but next year with the same players it may fail to meet the rules...Its almost gouing to force us to sell players AND it will mean some youth which perhaps requires more development, but is over 21, might have to be sold on because there is no room in the squad of 25....it puts pressure on the likes of Rose to develop well or be moved on.
Taarabt actually counts as homegrown - we signed him in 2006!
are you nuts Benoit Assou-Ekotto is a great LB. I think Bale and BAE compliment each other down the left
as to why welsh count but scots dont, Wales is a Principality, part of England & Wales, where as Scotland is a seperate kingdom, people forget that the two countries have their own kings and queens, they just happen to be the same people
We have a Great squad for this new rule. Its true we can call on Caulker Mason Bostock Parrett Rose Townsend he can cover for Bentley
In form Keane is looking like he's fired up with a point to prove, he is the club's top scorer with 122 in 293 games, I hope he stays this season and plays a big part for the club n europe, league and cups.
Keane was horrible in the US. Out of the three games, he should have had at least 8 goals from about 15 good scoring chances, but instead he only got 2 (and one of them was a bit lucky).
Bale (and others who just turned 21) don't count as part of the 25 because they were 21 on January 1st 2010.
King can hardly be counted as one of our starting CBs--how many games can we realistically expect him to start? Corluka is horrible at CB, and so is Hudd, so realistically we need cover there.
And no need to mess with BAE on the left. He's done great imo and I really don't understand the criticism levelled at him to be honest...
lets all lol at arsenal...theyll have to employ a few under 16s for there home grown
Arsenal's squad is fine -- Fabregas etc.. count as home grown under the new rule. As far as I know, every team (including Chelsea) could select their entire first-team squad from last season without any problems.
I would like to see a few senior players leave, to make room for youngsters to come through, and also to make room in the 25 for others.
Hutton can leave, as Kaboul can cover right back and center back, so loan out Naughton and Walker (preferably to premiership clubs, if not top championship clubs).
O'Hara has no part to play, as much as I like him, we just have better players in his position, and also Sandro to come in. The same with Jenas.
I'd like to see Bentley stay after his performances last season, but wouldn't be devastated if he left., especially with Gio's performances in the world cup playing on the right.
Keano has looked sharp in USA, and I wouldn't sell him without being able to bring in player who's better. I would hate to see him leave and someone worse (Agbonglahor) come in to replace him.
So with that, my final 25 would be:
GK: Gomes, Cudicini, Pletikosa
RB: Corluka, Kaboul
LB: BAE
CB: King, Dawson, Bassong, Kaboul
RM: Lennon, Bentley
LM: Modric, Kranjcar
CM: Palacios, Huddlestone
ST: Defoe, Pavlyuchenko, Crouch, Keane (unless replaced by a better player)
That squad does look a little thin, but bare in mind that U21 players haven't been included. These include:
RB: Walker (recall clause in the loan) Adam Smith*
LB/LM: Bale
CM: Sandro, Parret*, Livermore*
RM/LM/ACM/ST: Dos Santos, Taarabt
LM: Rose, Bostock*, Townsend*
ST: Obika*, Mason*
* Academy player, under 21 and can be called on if desperate/Carling cup.
Bare in mind as well that a lot of players in the club can play 2, 3 or sometimes 4 positions. Kaboul, Bale, Kranjcar, Rose, Modric, Dos Santos, Bassong, King, Taarabt and Townsend are more than capable of filling in in other positions. This means we need less specific cover, can simply move people around.
One or two massive signings, and our squad is looking extremely good.
COYS!!!
As to why welsh count but scots don't: it's nothing to do with Principality! It is simply because there are Welsh teams in the English league! It would be harsh for Cardiff to get to Premier League, and find that their 10 homegrown Welshmen don't count as homegrown! Simples.
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