Opinion: The pros and cons of reducing the number of foreigners in Premier League teams

Recent reports have indicated that following Brexit, the English FA could impose restrictions on the number of foreigners in every Premier League side's squad, with an upper limit of 12 non-British players per side.

The reports have raised debate about the positives and negatives of the same, and brought about comparison with other countries who have attempted this. Here we discuss the positives and negatives of the FA imposing such a rule post Brexit.

Positives

As is the case with Brexit, the main objective of this rule is to safeguard the interests of the British players currently plying their trade in not only the Premier League, but also in the lower English leagues.

A reduction in the number of foreigners in the league would forcibly increase the chances afforded to English players as a whole. The Premier League has been criticised for having ineffective youth academies, and not being conducive towards the development of young players.

With the likes of Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson making such a fantastic impact abroad, the Premier League could do with becoming a more friendly environment to the development of English youngsters.

This in turn would improve England's national side. With more English players being afforded opportunities all throughout the English leagues, the talent pool available to Gareth Southgate to select for the senior side would increase significantly.

The English U-17 side also recently won the World Cup, which highlights that England are enjoying a golden period in youth development. Restrictions on foreigners could supplement this period as well.

Negatives

Placing restrictions on the number of foreigners does not assure the success of native players. The Russian Premier League recently imposed stringent restrictions on foreigners in the league, resulting in the overall quality of Russian sides deteriorating drastically.

Restricting the number of foreigners could have a direct effect on the quality of the Premier League, and competitiveness of English sides in continental competitions. The Premier League is the most watched and most marketable league in the world.

Salah, Aguero, Hazard, Ozil, and Pogba are just some of the marquee names playing in the PL, and if such names were restricted from playing in England, it would affect clubs both on the pitch and financially.

When the quality of the league falls, it has a paradoxical effect on English players as well. They are no longer challenged against the best in the world, therefore reducing the quality and ability of English players.

English players would be better served leaving to other European leagues to build their careers, and this would negate the entire objective of the restriction itself.

Any decision taken by the FA regarding foreigners in the league should be taken with utmost care. It would have a ripple effect all over the country, and despite there being both theoretical positives and negatives, it is difficult to tell the actual impact it would have on English football.