Blackburn Rovers boss targets best of British (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Rovers boss targets best of British

10:07am Friday 20th November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(1)

SAM Allardyce could be forced to look a little closer to home for his next ‘transfer bargain’– with new Premier League guidelines leaving Blackburn Rovers stretched to the limit.

Top flight clubs agreed to the introduction of a squad cap and home-grown player quota earlier this season, with changes taking effect from the start of next campaign, leaving Allardyce wary of the dangers of more foreign imports.

As of next season clubs will be required to have a squad of up to 25 players, of which no more than 17 can be over the age of 21 and developed overseas.

A home-grown player will be defined as one who has been registered with any club affiliated to the FA in England or Wales for a period of 36 months before his 21st birthday.

The Premier League will also allow clubs to supplement their squad with a B-list, comprising as many players as they want who were under the age of 21 at the start of the previous January.

Rovers’ hierarchy are well aware of next season’s criteria as Allardyce continues to scour the world in search for fresh faces this January and beyond.

Cutting down the current squad from 27 to 25 should offer no problems, with the likes of Maceo Rigters and Zurab Khizanishvili seemingly headed for the Ewood Park exit door.

But with three of their 11 home-grown players currently out of contract in the summer and several others far from guaranteed a Rovers future, Allardyce knows signing English-taught players is essential for the long term.

The Rovers boss won’t stop signing from abroad, having only brought in foreigners since his arrival, but will be keen on replenish his home-grown quota over the coming months.

With Keith Treacy and Alan Judge on loan elsewhere, Jason Roberts’ future uncertain, Steven Reid still battling to earn a new contract and goalkeepers Mark Bunn, Jason Brown and Frank Fielding all potentially looking for more first team opportunities, Rovers face some tough decisions Matt Derbyshire and Paul Gallagher have already left for pastures new, meaning to replace many of the above players with more foreign signings would leave Rovers in jeopardy of failing to meet the requirements.

Good value ‘home-grown’ talent is limited at present though, as Rovers bid to maintain the right balance in their squad.

ROVERS QUOTA

Home grown players aged 21 or over next season: Paul Robinson, David Dunn*, Jason Roberts, Steven Reid*, Keith Andrews, Martin Olsson, Keith Treacy, Alan Judge, Jason Brown, Frank Fielding*, Mark Bunn. Total: 11.

None-home grown players aged 21 or over: Vince Grella, Morten Gamst Pedersen*, Zurab Khizanishvili, Steven Nzonzi, El-Hadji Diouf, Elrio van Heerden, Nikola Kalinic, Michel Salgado, Pascal Chimbonda, Maceo Rigters. Total: 16.

Players under 21 next season: Franco Di Santo*, Aaron Doran, Junior Hoilett*, Phil Jones, Nick Blackman, Gavin Gunning, Alex Marrow.

* out of contract before rules come into force