On the Banks of the River Thames

[ShireNiner]

A way more easier solution is that xx % of your first team squad needs to be home-grown.
Add to that the rule already existing in Spain of a fixed first team squad of 25.
If we say at least half (meaning 13) of all players need to be home grown, that fixes the issue a great deal.


Another one completely omitting finance is a 'qualifying' mechanism: a player needs to qualify for a foreign transfer by playing at least an x amount of senior games in his own country, or he needs to have made his debut for the national team before having qualified to go abroad.


Champions League ought to go back to Champions only, so that becomes much more a tournament for honours, while a Europa League becomes a bigger tournament where more money is involved: does the team go for winner's glory, or for the second tier money. This way you also create an automatic handicap for getting ahead. Because to become champion you need to invest, but once a champion financial profits will temporarily be limited.


If one of these three is implemented (but preferably all three) it would make the game a bit more egalitarian again.

I actually really like those rules. I see the Champions League as not really starting until the knockout rounds as it is, before that you can usually guess 90% of the teams advancing.

Are those common talking points in your area for how to improve the game or are those your own ideas?

[Danimal5981]

Are those common talking points in your area for how to improve the game or are those your own ideas?

Ironically, the current format of Champions League was an initiative of (among others) the former board of Ajax, because the math is simple: in a group format of six games, the only game where a team such as ajax could benefit is when #1 seeding plays #2 seeding. In a format where 36 teams play eight times, there's a bit more variable. You play at least eight games (meaning: more money), plus it's slightly easier to get through (see Bodø / Glimt this season: that's at least an additional two or four games).


The home-grown rule has been opted by Johan Cruijff and is still being promoted by Marco van Basten. It is something Benelux and Nordics countries are heavily lobbying for. As is the proposal to bring back the traditional knock-out system in the European Cup tournament for champions (Europa League and potentially Cup Winners League can remain as is).


That qualifying mechanism is mine actually: I was thinking how to go around the free traffic of people within the EU and a qualifying mechanism would do it. It's like a driver's license: you need to quaiify by doing the exam satisfactory, only then are you allowed to drive a motorized vehicle, right? So, something similar for football players, because nowadays they become world travelers by age 16. With the qualifying mechansim you protect the player and the national market. It's no longer about having the best players, it's about having the highest level in the width of your national pool of players.

[Danimal5981]

Eh I just saw Pepi signed with Fulham IRL, did you know about this?

Not official yet; it's very probable but there's still room to steal the transfer

Told ya... Transfer Pepi has fallen through

[ShireNiner]

Are those common talking points in your area for how to improve the game or are those your own ideas?

Ironically, the current format of Champions League was an initiative of (among others) the former board of Ajax, because the math is simple: in a group format of six games, the only game where a team such as ajax could benefit is when #1 seeding plays #2 seeding. In a format where 36 teams play eight times, there's a bit more variable. You play at least eight games (meaning: more money), plus it's slightly easier to get through (see Bodø / Glimt this season: that's at least an additional two or four games).


The home-grown rule has been opted by Johan Cruijff and is still being promoted by Marco van Basten. It is something Benelux and Nordics countries are heavily lobbying for. As is the proposal to bring back the traditional knock-out system in the European Cup tournament for champions (Europa League and potentially Cup Winners League can remain as is).


That qualifying mechanism is mine actually: I was thinking how to go around the free traffic of people within the EU and a qualifying mechanism would do it. It's like a driver's license: you need to quaiify by doing the exam satisfactory, only then are you allowed to drive a motorized vehicle, right? So, something similar for football players, because nowadays they become world travelers by age 16. With the qualifying mechansim you protect the player and the national market. It's no longer about having the best players, it's about having the highest level in the width of your national pool of players.

Points to you for coming up with that last one. I really like that.

Eh I just saw Pepi signed with Fulham IRL, did you know about this?

Not official yet; it's very probable but there's still room to steal the transfer

Told ya... Transfer Pepi has fallen through

Fulham should have called me. Clearly I was able to get it done.

[ShireNiner]

[ShireNiner]

[ShireNiner]

[ShireNiner]

[ShireNiner]

[Caesar]

Indifferent start to the season, but good enough if you keep this pace to avoid relegation