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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes that English clubs should refrain from signing too many foreign players due to the impact they have on the progress of English players, Sky Sports reports.
The 34-year-old’s comments were preceded by FA chairman Greg Dyke’s concern that the number of England-born players starting for the clubs is rapidly declining.
The former England international cited the recent match between Manchester City and Newcastle United as an example, pointing out that just three England players were present out of 22 on the pitch.
In an interview with The Mail on Sunday Ferdinand said:”Having so few English players in the Premier League diminishes the English team, of course it does,”
“Look at the Manchester City game recently against Newcastle. There was barely an English player on the pitch, three out of 22 starters.
“That is a disgrace.
“If you look at it and ask whether there should be a stipulation that you have a minimum number of players who are English, even just in your squad, I think that should happen.
“If you look at a lot of teams, there are England players who aren’t playing for their clubs – yet we’re hoping to go to a World Cup and do well!”
The player feels that new rules reducing the number of foreign players in a team will be greatly beneficial for English football.
In reality, it would be very difficult to try and set such regulations, as Ferdinand stated:
“I would do what Turkey do, and have limits.
“In that country, clubs can have a maximum of 10 foreign players on the books, and no more than six in any 18-man match day squad.
“I know that European laws won’t let a legal quota happen. So you can’t do that. But if you want to protect English football and its heritage and its future, something like that has to be done.”
Manchester United currently have 12 English player in their 22 man squad according to a list published on 2nd September.
