Newcastle in pole position to comply with new proposed rule by FIFA - Report
Newcastle United could only register 21 players for the Champions League List A this season, rather than the permitted 25, due to not having enough club-grown players in their squad.
It was a rule that led to rumours of a return to the club of the likes of Freddie Woodman, Fraser Forster or Andy Carroll, but in the end, the Magpies made do with what they already had.
Rules around homegrown and club-grown players are nothing new in the game, as each football confederation moves to maximise the possibility of each country producing its best possible talent.
But FIFA are now considering a change to the rules which will see clubs required to have at least one homegrown player from the Under 21 category on the field at all times.
FIFA are discussing a new rule around Under-21 players
According to a report in The Athletic, the details haven't yet been ironed out as the proposal is still in the very early stages, but if it's a rule that had come in for this season, Newcastle United would have been best placed to comply.
The Athletic created an image showing the number of minutes played by English Under 21 players by club in the Premier League, and the Magpies topped the charts ahead of Manchester City and Manchester United.
Burnley and Leeds United hadn't clocked up a single minute for an England Under-21 player this season, so it's clear that clubs would need time to get ready for this rule change.
Newcastle are putting a lot of effort into the academy
A big part of Newcastle's strategy is to unearth young talent and bring them through the academy, but along with that comes a desire to find local talent to develop, too.
We're still a long way off the likes of the Manchester clubs who spew out a new star every year, but Newcastle is certainly looking a lot better than it used to in this regard.
Lewis Miley is the obvious standout in this category for the Magpies, and Lewis Hall would likely have fit into this group, too.
The question is, who is the next English youngster to come through after Miley? Sean Neave?
Ash Harrison, hailing from the picturesque city of Durham, proudly serves as a Football Writer at NUFC Blog, a role he has embraced since October 2023. His dedication to Newcastle United is not just professional; it's a lifelong passion. Before joining NUFC Blog, Ash honed his craft as a writer at NUFCFEED, Geordie Boot Boys and Vital Football.
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