By David Gold
August 6 – A new competition for players under 21 years of age in England is being launched to help improve the quality of home-grown young footballers in the country.
The new competition will feature teams from the Premier League and Championship, divided into three groups, and a subsequent knock out stage and final after January.
Three players over the age of 21 will be permitted in outfield positions, as well as one player over that age in goal.
In England young players often struggle to get a chance to play competitive football for the top teams, and this new tournament should help to fill that role to an extent.
“Each stage of a player’s development is tailored to ensuring they have the best possible chance of progressing,” said Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive (pictured below).
“The new league addresses one of the most critical points – the transition from academy football to the highest standards in the first team.
“We believe this competitive environment, where fans can also come along to watch the next generation of Premier League and international players, will help deliver more talented home grown boys to that next level.”
The new league will help perform a similar function to the ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams Spanish sides can field in their lower leagues.
La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, for example, field their ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams in the lower leagues, although they cannot be promoted to the same division as the senior team.
The idea of a similar league in England has been mooted before, by Andre Villas Boas last year when he was in charge at Chelsea and Rafa Benítez from his time at Liverpool.
They believe that there is not sufficient quality game practice for those looking to bridge the gap between club academies and first teams.
Given Spain’s dominance of international football in recent years and England’s inability to reach the last four of major tournaments, it is hoped this new competition can help to improve the national team’s fortunes.
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