Premier League clubs could be given boost with green light of additions to 25-man squads

[ASFN Admin]

You must be registered for see images attach

Premier League clubs hope to be given the green light to add to their 25-man squads in what could prove to be a boost to Aston Villa’s survival hopes if the season restarts. But Chelsea would not be able to register new signing Hakim Ziyech or Arsenal play defender William Saliba, who spent the season on loan at Saint Etienne, over the remainder of the campaign under an initial proposal which could go to a vote. With clubs facing the threat of losing out of contract players or on-loan players at the end of June, the Premier League have discussed a rule change to allow 25-man squads to be added to with players already at the club. The rule change could still go to a vote and be subject to amendments, but Villa will be hoping that goalkeeper Tom Heaton and striker Wesley could play again this season if they can return to fitness in time. Some clubs believe that space would have to be made to accommodate any squad additions and that they should only be implemented from June 30 onwards, when player contracts are due to expire. But Villa chief executive Christian Purslow believes clubs should be allowed to register expanded squads from the beginning of any season restart to cover for the eventuality of players falling ill or testing positive for Covid-19. Heaton and Wesley were left out of Villa’s 25-man squad for the second half of the campaign after suffering season-ending injuries against Burnley on January 1. Both men could be fit by the end of June, leaving Smith a decision to make over whether or not to risk adding them to his squad for the final games that could be vital in Villa’s bid to stay up. It remains to be seen whether or not, should the season restart before June 30 as currently proposed, Villa and other Premier League clubs would have to wait until the end of next month to make any changes. The new rule would mean that clubs would have the opportunity to top up their squads if any of their out-of-contract players left or if players were recalled from any loan spells. Sheffield United are hopeful they will be able to keep goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who has been on loan from Manchester United, past June 30. Under the current proposal, Manchester United would not be able to register Henderson themselves, as he has been out on loan, so recalling him would leave the 23-year-old unable to play for anybody over the run-in and no doubt upset him greatly. Sheffield United are only two points behind fifth-placed Manchester United with a game in hand, with both clubs still hoping to try to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Limiting clubs to only adding players who were already at the club when the season was suspended would stop the possibility of players, such as Willian, becoming free agents on June 30 and then moving to and playing for another Premier League club this season. It would also prevent Chelsea from registering Ziyech, who they have signed from Ajax, or Arsenal playing Saliba, who was signed from Saint Etienne but loaned back to the French club for this season.

Continue reading...