FFP - 21 Man Squad Restriction & Homegrown Quota

[Anonymous]

For whatever reason that hasn't been announced as yet. If I were a betting man I'd say it's 13 + 4 + 4 and the reason this hasn't been confirmed to the media is that a limit of 13 foreign players, when you look at our current squad makeup, is pretty restrictive and that could have a detrimental affect on our summer transfer dealings if it was in the public domain.

I find it hard to take Soriano at his word when he says the sanctions won't effect our summer transfer business for this very reason. Although it would be short term thinking to balance the squad based on only next season's CL, the wider issue, the one of homegrown players, will not go away anytime soon.

I'm not surprised even if I am a little disappointed that Milner seemingly wants to leave. I've had a feeling for the last two or three months that our entire English contingent with the exception of Joe, would probably all wants moves this summer. Rodwell and Sinclair's careers are going nowhere at City. Lescott and Barry are already gone on a free. Milner was the one who I thought could potentially be happy, but his interviews after the title win for the O/S seemed to intimate that as happy as he was at City, he wasn't happy with is playing time. IMO he's the type of professional who at the age he's at, will want to play every week. Honestly I'd expect him to go to somewhere like Everton and become their captain.

 

[George Hannah]

Realistically, I think it's going to be 13+8. The very best we can hope for would be a pro-rata reduction.

and the assurance that our summer recruitment plans are unaffected by the sanctions is a fiction.

 

[Anonymous]

Realistically, I think it's going to be 13+8. The very best we can hope for would be a pro-rata reduction.

and the assurance that our summer recruitment plans are unaffected by the sanctions is a fiction.

It's not unexpected for the club to publicly state the sanctions have no baring on our transfer activity though. Wouldn't surprise me if there were two distinct lists for this summer's targets, one based on there being no CL sanctions, and one based on the 21 man squad reduction.

 

[George Hannah]

Realistically, I think it's going to be 13+8. The very best we can hope for would be a pro-rata reduction.

and the assurance that our summer recruitment plans are unaffected by the sanctions is a fiction.

It's not unexpected for the club to publicly state the sanctions have no baring on our transfer activity though. Wouldn't surprise me if there were two distinct lists for this summer's targets, one based on there being no CL sanctions, and one based on the 21 man squad reduction.

excellent point Billy, we have a plan for all seasons!

 

[bobmcfc]

Realistically, I think it's going to be 13+8. The very best we can hope for would be a pro-rata reduction.

and the assurance that our summer recruitment plans are unaffected by the sanctions is a fiction.

It's not unexpected for the club to publicly state the sanctions have no baring on our transfer activity though. Wouldn't surprise me if there were two distinct lists for this summer's targets, one based on there being no CL sanctions, and one based on the 21 man squad reduction.

I cannot see us bringing in fernando and mangala now because of this. We will still spend the money but I think we will will be looking for players who class as homegrown/association trained or whatever it is. I know it's going to cost us big but what choice do we have

 

[Anonymous]

and the assurance that our summer recruitment plans are unaffected by the sanctions is a fiction.

It's not unexpected for the club to publicly state the sanctions have no baring on our transfer activity though. Wouldn't surprise me if there were two distinct lists for this summer's targets, one based on there being no CL sanctions, and one based on the 21 man squad reduction.

I cannot see us bringing in fernando and mangala now because of this. We will still spend the money but I think we will will be looking for players who class as homegrown/association trained or whatever it is. I know it's going to cost us big but what choice do we have

The bigger issue is that both those positions are positions in which we were particularly weak this season at times, and positions in which realistically we don't need "squad" players, we need players who are capable of challenging for a starting berth in the big games. This makes identifying and securing h/g players much more difficult.

 

[Chippy_boy]

Realistically, I think it's going to be 13+8. The very best we can hope for would be a pro-rata reduction.

and the assurance that our summer recruitment plans are unaffected by the sanctions is a fiction.

It's not unexpected for the club to publicly state the sanctions have no baring on our transfer activity though. Wouldn't surprise me if there were two distinct lists for this summer's targets, one based on there being no CL sanctions, and one based on the 21 man squad reduction.

It's pretty clear that the club have tried to dress it all up in the best possible light. Making the punishments appear less severe has a number of advantages - off the top of my head; a lesser punishment implies a lesser offence has been committed; maintaining confidence in the club's abilities for potential investors; keeping the players motivated; keeping the fans happy.

I can find no explanation for the clubs' comments "The nature of conditions that will result in the lifting of sanctions means that the Club expects to be operating without sanction or restriction at the commencement of the 2015-16 season." This is seemingly not compatible with UEFA's comment, "Manchester City agrees to significantly limit spending in the transfer market for seasons 2014/2015 and 2015/2016" - since this restriction does not appear to be subject to any caveats or any future financial performance.

I assume City are again trying to paint it as positively as possible and that by "without sanction or restriction" they mean that the financial sanctions will have been lifted and the transfer limit of £50m won't be a restriction in practice. Even though it might well be.

 

[Anonymous]

I've just spoken to the head of media at UEFA. Although not specifically stated in the rulings, the 4+4 rule will apply to both Paris and City even though the squad size is reduced to 21. I asked her to send me an email confirming, which she said she will do. I won't be holding my breath but lets see.

 

[Matty]

It's not unexpected for the club to publicly state the sanctions have no baring on our transfer activity though. Wouldn't surprise me if there were two distinct lists for this summer's targets, one based on there being no CL sanctions, and one based on the 21 man squad reduction.

I cannot see us bringing in fernando and mangala now because of this. We will still spend the money but I think we will will be looking for players who class as homegrown/association trained or whatever it is. I know it's going to cost us big but what choice do we have

The bigger issue is that both those positions are positions in which we were particularly weak this season at times, and positions in which realistically we don't need "squad" players, we need players who are capable of challenging for a starting berth in the big games. This makes identifying and securing h/g players much more difficult.

We absolutely must bring in a centre half now we've allowed Lescott to leave, unless we're expecting Rekik to fill the gap. I don't know whether he'd be in the 4 homegrown club players or not, has he been here long enough yet?

 

[bobmcfc]

I've just spoken to the head of media at UEFA. Although not specifically stated in the rulings, the 4+4 rule will apply to both Paris and City even though the squad size is reduced to 21. I asked her to send me an email confirming, which she said she will do. I won't be holding my breath but lets see.

It's madness, utter madness !! It should be reduced to 4 IMO