FA Chairman Greg Dyke’s plans to rewrite the rule book on home grown players in English football could have huge consequences for the Toon Army.
United’s transfer strategy to buy in cheap talent from Europe and sell them on for huge profits could now be in disarray if the FA’s plans come to fruition.
Under the proposals the number of home grown players will increase from eight to 12.
It would also mean any player, whatever their nationality, will have to be with his club from age 15 to qualify as home-grown rather than by 21 as it is now – ruling out goalkeeper Tim Krul from the current United team who is registered under the existing system.
The number of non-home grown players in any Premier League squad will also be reduced from 17 to 13.
Finally, at least two home-grown players must be club trained.
Of the 20 current top flight teams, Newcastle United are one of five sides which would be affected and the Toon currently have 15 non-home grown players in the 25-man squad.
The 15 are Mehdi Abeid, Vurnon Anita, Remy Cabella, Papiss Cisse, Fabricio Coloccini, Siem De Jong, Facundo Ferreyra, Yoan Gouffran, Jonas Gutierrez, Massadio Haidara, Daryl Janmaat, Gabriel Obertan, Emmanuel Riviere, Moussa Sissoko and Cheik Tiote.
There are also eight home grown players in the current squad. Tim Krul, who would no longer be classed as a home-grown player under the new system, Ryan Taylor – whose contract is up at the end of the season – Mike Williamson, Jack Colback, Sammy Ameobi – whose contract is also up for renewal – Steven Taylor, Rob Elliot, and Paul Dummett.
Of the 20 top flight teams, 15 would already meet the new criteria. Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea would not.