Premier League boss Scudamore defends 'home-grown' rule
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore has hit back at Arsene Wenger's criticism of new squad rules.
In an effort to boost British talent, top-flight clubs must now have eight 'home-grown' players in their 25-man squad, with no limit on under-21s.
Wenger says the rule is "ridiculous" but Scudamore told BBC Radio 5 live: "I think Arsene, much as I respect him, has got a bit emotive on this one.
"There is a point at which you have to do something for the greater good."
The new regulations were agreed prior to England's disastrous World Cup campaign, although the national team's performance in South Africa this summer has resulted in a renewed focus on how best to nurture domestic talent.
In June, world governing body Fifa scrapped plans to require clubs to field a minimum of six home-grown players in their starting line-ups.
It is understood the proposal was dropped because the European Commission said it would contravene European Union labour laws.
But England's top flight is pushing ahead with its plan, which comes into effect on 1 September, leaving clubs facing a fine balancing act.
Under Premier League law, a player is regarded as 'home-grown' if he has spent 36 months or more with a club associated with the English or Welsh FA before his 21st birthday, or the end of the season during which he turns 21.
Wenger, who has signed a new three-year deal to extend his 13-year stay as Arsenal manager, is convinced the initiative is counter-productive.
"I've been educating players since I was 25 and I know one rule," the Frenchman said this week. "The first thing you do to develop a player is to put him with another good player. If you are a great player, you want to play with great players."
The 60-year-old also believes the rules play into the hands of players and their agents.
"I read that Ireland wants to go only if Manchester City give him £2m," he added. "That's because the new rules transform, even more, the agents into mercenaries. It is absolutely ridiculous and it is paralysing the market.
"Nobody buys. It is a joke. But they will create more rules like that, the 'home-grown' rule, which is rubbish. It is not linked with quality. Do you really think it will remain the best league in the world? No chance.
"The Premier League has to decide: are they here to prepare the national team, so let's kick everybody out? Or are they here to be the best league in the world?"
Despite Wenger's criticism, Scudamore is adamant the quota will benefit young players.
"What we're trying to do is get young players through. It's not about the top superstars", he stated.
"They can have as many under-21s as they like. It's not restricting the number of players - we're restricting the number of over-21s.
"What we're trying to do is make the marginal decisions go the other way. If you're about to decide whether to give a young player a contract or buy a foreign player, then all of a sudden you think 'maybe we'll err on the side of the young player'."
Valdes rejects Cesc speculation
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes believes Cesc Fabregas would snub any move to Real Madrid in favour of a return to the Camp Nou.
Arsenal rejected two bids for Fabregas last summer and, while many expect Barca to make a fresh attempt to sign the player at the end of the current season, director Raul Sanllehi said this week that they were not working on a deal.
"Cesc is a great Catalan player," Sanllehi said. "He played for us as a kid and he will be welcome back at Barcelona for the Champions League match. Right now, everything is dead regarding a transfer."
That prompted speculation in Spain that Madrid were set to revive their interest in Fabregas, with president Florentino Perez reported to have given the go-ahead for executive director Jose Angel Sanchez to speak to the player's advisors.
However, Valdes believes Madrid would have no hope of signing Fabregas.
"I cannot imagine Cesc wearing the white shirt," Valdes said. "As you know, I believe his wish is to return home, although that is not up to me. He knows our system perfectly and he would fit in well here."
Valdes also welcomed the news that Pep Guardiola is to prolong his contract for another year. "I always believed he would stay on," he said.
Henry-to-Arsenal Is Days Away
It is not quite official, but Thierry Henry appears to be only a jersey-fitting away from rejoining Arsenal on a short-term, two-month loan from the Red Bulls of Major League Soccer.
Gunners Manager Arsène Wenger said Friday that only the completion of insurance details stand between Henry and a return to North London.
“To cover for two months is ideal,” Wenger told The Associated Press. “He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch. He has exceptional talent — he is a very intelligent man and has a desire to help the club. But it is difficult to measure how positive an influence he is.”
He added, “I know it can only be positive.”
The Red Bulls, who last week declined to comment on the possible loan deal, said in a statement Friday: “We have been officially approached by Arsenal with the request for a short-term loan of New York’s captain Thierry Henry. An official announcement is pending approval of certain paperwork.”
Henry has been training with Arsenal during the M.L.S. off-season. Early in December the club unveiled a statue of Henry outside the Emirates Stadium, along with bronzes of the former captain Tony Adams and the ex-manager Herbert Chapman to celebrate the club’s 125th anniversary.
If the loan deal is completed, Henry could appear in seven Premier League matches for Arsenal, including a home match against Manchester United on Jan. 22 and possibly a Champions League game against Milan in February.
Though Henry remains Arsenal’s career-leading scorer, it is unlikely he will see time other than coming off the bench, perhaps as a substitute for Robin van Persie.
From a Red Bulls perspective, does the loan deal make sense? For Arsenal?
