Brexit and Football (Part 2)
In YoYo’s first look at Brexit and Football, we told you about the negative effects that it could have and how much of a threat to Premier League football it could potentially be. In this edition, we’re going to take a slightly different approach, and instead look at why Brexit could be the best thing to happen to English football since the adoption of the Premier League.
We looked at the effects of the weak pound on transfers, of complicated registration requirements and a weakened scouting network when compared to clubs within the EU. In short, it’s harder and less attractive for foreign players to come to the UK and play football outside the EU. Yes, they’ll still be in the Champions League and the Europa League, but the attractiveness of clubs is dictated here by something that extends just footballing issues.
The positive however, runs parallel to this. Yes, foreign players will be the hardest hit by the invocation of Article 50, but what does this leave? It leaves behind a wealth of opportunities for domestic and homegrown talents to fill the gaps inevitably left by the potentially reduced numbers of Spaniards, Germans and French gracing our pitches.
First of all, we need to make a disclaimer and state our assumptions before this piece continues: In our first article, we looked at the legislation which, if not changed, could pose serious threats to the Premier League. From herein, we will assume that leaving the EU will result in the adoption of these regulations with no reform in the near future (a reasonable assumption to make).
Every fan in the Premier League has been crying out to see their side produce to top-quality home grown talent. From the top teams to the ones struggling to stay away from relegation; the calls are the same. Take Chelsea for example: whilst Guus Hiddink was in charge he gave debuts to a significant number of players such as Jake Clarke-Salter and Tammy Abraham whilst giving more playing time to Ruben Loftus-Cheek. All English, all local lads and all had been at Chelsea since a young age. Every time one of them came on or touched the ball there was a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement in the crowd — the Stamford Bridge faithful were desperate to see something come of their world-renown academy in a season where for a long time, the first team squad looked devoid of passion and determination. At the other end of the table, a few years ago Newcastle striker Armstrong made his debut in front of a packed St James’ Park. He wasn’t the most talented or clinical striker in the squad — not by a long way — but nonetheless there was a sense of anticipation and excitement that only “one of their own” could create.
The main thing that people have felt has been blocking this sort of progression at all clubs has been the influx of foreign talent into the Premier League. Without doubt, the quality of the league has been raised immeasurably; some of the best players of the Premier League years have been from all over the world and each club owes them a debt of gratitude in their own way. But the ease in which they can be acquired, often much cheaper than their English counterparts, has made it economically sensible to search of foreign equivalents. They have become much more than the luxury players of the Juninho or Robinho days; instead they are more of a core part of every single club in the Premier League. Take Raheem Sterling for example. A gifted player for sure, but at £49m? To scale this, Eden Hazard was acquired for £32m, Aguero £35m. The ‘English markup’ has become one of the most defining factors of transfers in recent times.
But what effect does Brexit have on this?
Over the next few years, the reduced number of foreign players plying their trade in a country affected by complicated registration regulations and a weak pound creates a lot of opportunity. Those spaces could well be filled by the talent easiest and cheapest to access — the homegrown academy players that have been stifled for opportunities. Often farmed out on loan with very bleak prospects for domestic first team opportunities, the inability of Premier League teams to buy foreign talents at will and with the homegrown status changing could force clubs into a crossroads: pay big bucks for a domestic transfer or use what you have.
And it’s only good news for the National team. England u20s recently rampaged through the Toulon tournament, dominating the final and winning player of the tournament and Golden Boot in the process. Look at the current Three Lions team. The most impressive players arguably have been Alli and Dier. Neither of which were established players a year ago, but a run of games in the Premier League under a willing manager was enough to compliment their talent and propel them into the European Championships and to burden them with the hopes of all english fans watching on. The crop of talent which were so clinically victorious in Toulon will hope that the opportunities afforded to them by the prospect of Brexit will be enough to allow them the same opportunities, and as far as the nation is concerned, it will hopefully be enough to see them have the same impact on the international platform as the likes of Alli and Dier have had.
But it’s a phenomenon which extends the Premier League. The benefits of this are likely to be spread across the entirety of British football, as scouting strategies refocus at home from abroad, and the lower league clubs start to see the demand for their most coveted stars rise as the english mark-up spikes in the short term. Over the longer term however, Brexit could spark investment into grassroots football and academy talents that hasn’t been seen before. This could be hypothetical, but if any of these materialise, it’s the senior Three Lions that are likely to benefit the most. Potentially exciting times ahead.
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