New rule comes into effect: EPL clubs name 25-man squads
The new Premier League rule has come into effect from 1st September which stipulates that an EPL club has to name a squad of 25 players. According to Premier League rules, the new regulation provides an increase in the number of young home grown players in the English Premier league. The rule aims to provide more options to English manager Fabio Capello in the long-run by having a larger pool of eligible English players.
This, of course, has come about due to the dismal performance of the English team in South Africa which concluded when Germany thrashed them in the round of 16 with a embarrasing 4-1 defeat. The plan has, however, come under fire from a number of managers including Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who says the rule will only serve to push quality players out of the English Premier League.
The absence of former Leeds United man Jonathan Woodgate comes as the biggest surprise. The former England defender is not in the squad for Tottenham Hotspur and his future at the London club seems up in the air due to his persistent injury problems. As far back as August, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp had said that Woodgate might have to retire due to his persistent injury problems. Furthermore, the English man is no longer young and his injuries might mean an early end to his career. According to Redknapp, Woodgate had seen two specialists and he cannot seem to find a cure for it.
The Spurs squad missed goalkeeper Ben Alnwick which comes as a major disappointment.
In other news, Manchester United’s injury-plagued midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been given a reprieve after he was included in the 25 man squad. Hargreaves has only made one appearance in the last two years and his career seemed in doubt. However, his inclusion in the squad means there might be some hope for him as he battles injuries in order to be fit.
In the other side of town, Roque Santa Cruz has managed to hold down a place in the 25 man squad at Manchester City. The Paraguayan’s time at Eastlands seemed to be coming to an end when City bought a lot of expensive new fire power. It was speculated that he might be leaving the club in order find regular football. With Mario Balotelli, Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jo playing at the club, Cruz might still find it difficult to get playing time for Manchester City.
Stoke City on the other hand has omitted forward Mamady Sidibe due to his ugly Achilles tendon injury which will rule him out for some time.
The once highly rated Michael Kightly has not been included in the Wolves’ squad for the first half of the season. Again, his exclusion is due to an injury which has forced him to miss large chunks of playing time since November 2009. He was once rumored to be on the radar of larger English Premier League clubs but persistent injury problems have deprived him of any progress.
At Birmingham City, Stephen Hunt and loan signing Marcus Bent have both been included in the 25 man squad. Hunt is still recovering from a foot surgery but has been given a chance to get fit and fight a starting spot in the first eleven. Meanwhile, journeyman Bent finds himself at his 14th club and will be looking to bolster the firepower available at St. Andrews.
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