Taylor welcomes rule change

Players' chief wants to see more English talent

Last updated: 2nd September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Taylor welcomes rule change

Taylor: Pleased with 25-man rule

If we had been a university, we would have been closed down.

Gordon Taylor.
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Gordon Taylor has welcomed the introduction of the new 25-man squad rules for Premier League clubs, although the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive wants more English youngsters to be first-team regulars.

Despite suggestions a number of high-profile stars would miss out when all 20 top-flight sides submitted their lists, there were no major omissions other than Tottenham's long-term injury absentee Jonathan Woodgate.

Indeed, many teams did not even need the full 25 allocation, with a large number naming a lengthy list of players aged 21 and under - which include Arsenal's trio of England internationals, Theo Walcott, Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere.

Players' chief Taylor believes the system will pay dividends in the long run, but admitted it did not go far enough

Approval

"It is something which the PFA strongly approve of, because for a long time we have been concerned about the millions going into youth development and the success rate has just not been good enough," said Taylor.

"If we had been a university, we would have been closed down. With something like 600 youngsters getting into the game at all levels at 16, you have 500 who are out of it by the time they are 21."

Taylor continued: "The fact we are in Europe means we cannot discriminate against non-English players, but at least our own youngsters will be on the same level playing field as foreign youngsters," he said.

"Countries like Germany have capitalised on the situation, with lads coming in from Poland and Turkey, who have wanted to apply for German nationality, and then they are available.

"However, I won't be happy until there at least two or three English youngsters who are starting in the Premier League games."