Today the English (and Welsh) Premier League - one of the best football leagues in the world - kicks off. Naturally, I've been flicking through the handbook (PDF), inspired by an article in yesterday's Metro. It seems that a new rule is coming into effect this season to limit squad sizes.
Each team is limited to 25 over-21-year-old players, eight of which must be 'homegrown', although they are allowed more; that is, have been registered at an English or Welsh squad under the age of 21 for at least three years. The teams are also allowed an unlimited amount of under-21s.
I am not sure what happens if a squad has less than 25 over-21s available to them (for example Arsenal has only 22 over-21s, and Chelsea have 21). I believe that then they do not have to worry so much about the quota, but there is a limit of up to 17 foreign players (ie: who aren't 'homegrown'). So Chelsea, who only have five homegrown over-21s, are okay because they also only have 16 foreigners.
Probably a better way of wording the rule is: there are twenty-five squad places available. There is a limit of up to seventeen non-homegrown players on each squad, and under 21 players are not included in this count so a team can have as many as they like.
Manchester United are a big squad, with 43 players of which 15 are under 21s. There are fewer foreign players than Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal or Manchester City, and plenty of homegrown talent to choose from. However, some of the less-well-know homegrown players (they have 15 to choose from) may be lost.
Sources are: Metro, Premier League website.
14/08/2010
12/08/2010
English Premier League 2010/11 Season Preview
August 14th – this Saturday – is the first day of the English Premier League 2010/11 season. I have debated over it, and finally decided that I'll post on the football as well. [At the very least it will give me something to blog about over the winter when there's no Formula 1]
All twenty teams will be playing over the weekend, and I'll be covering various statistics. The usual ones should be:
All twenty teams will be playing over the weekend, and I'll be covering various statistics. The usual ones should be:
- Average goals per game (over one weekend)
- Average cards per game (over one weekend)
- Top goalscorer (of the weekend)
- Total goals (whole season)
- Total yellow cards (whole season)
- Total red cards (whole season)
11/08/2010
Euro 2012 Qualifying: EST vs FRO summary
FIFA World Ranking points
Remember the formula? In this case, I=2.5 as it's a continental qualifier, and C=1 for all the Euro 2012 matches.
For Estonia, T (strength of opponent) = (200-118)/100 = 0.82, and for the Faroe Islands, T=1.06.
Since the match was a victory for Estonia, they get 2.5*82*3=615 points, and Faroe Islands get no points.
Match summary
The Faroe Islands started well, scoring a goal through Edmundsson in the 28th minute. It didn't stop him getting booked, however, with three yellow cards for his team in the first half. Estonia, meanwhile, also had opportunities on goal, but were less violent in their challenges. It's not easy to tell exactly which team played better when you can only read the UEFA MatchCentre commentary – which is nowhere near as good as FIFA's MatchCast from the World Cup.
In the second half, there were an incredible two last-minute goals from Estonia's Saag and several substitutions. Faroe Islands received a fourth yellow card. The game ended 2-1 to Estonia.
Remember the formula? In this case, I=2.5 as it's a continental qualifier, and C=1 for all the Euro 2012 matches.
For Estonia, T (strength of opponent) = (200-118)/100 = 0.82, and for the Faroe Islands, T=1.06.
Since the match was a victory for Estonia, they get 2.5*82*3=615 points, and Faroe Islands get no points.
Match summary
The Faroe Islands started well, scoring a goal through Edmundsson in the 28th minute. It didn't stop him getting booked, however, with three yellow cards for his team in the first half. Estonia, meanwhile, also had opportunities on goal, but were less violent in their challenges. It's not easy to tell exactly which team played better when you can only read the UEFA MatchCentre commentary – which is nowhere near as good as FIFA's MatchCast from the World Cup.
In the second half, there were an incredible two last-minute goals from Estonia's Saag and several substitutions. Faroe Islands received a fourth yellow card. The game ended 2-1 to Estonia.
Euro 2012 Qualifying: EST vs FRO preview
Team: Estonia
World (European) Rank: 94 (43)
Players: 24
Team: Faroe Islands
World (European) Rank: 118 (48)
Players: 20
In European rank, these teams aren't much different, but world rank places them much further apart. While the Faroe Islanders have chosen sixteen players from their local league, the Estonians have mostly selected from abroad, with only three of their twenty-four playing in Estonia. Two of the squad members, however, are not signed up with any club.
This islanders are managed by Republic of Ireland footballer Brian Kerr, who previously managed his home side (but didn't get them into Euro 2008).
According to the UEFA website, Estonia's record against the Faroe Islands is won three, drawn one, lost one. I'm predicting them to win again this time, especially since it's a home game.
Edited for new FIFA rankings (Aug 11) and correct FIFA Trigramme for Faroe Islands
World (European) Rank: 94 (43)
Players: 24
Team: Faroe Islands
World (European) Rank: 118 (48)
Players: 20
In European rank, these teams aren't much different, but world rank places them much further apart. While the Faroe Islanders have chosen sixteen players from their local league, the Estonians have mostly selected from abroad, with only three of their twenty-four playing in Estonia. Two of the squad members, however, are not signed up with any club.
This islanders are managed by Republic of Ireland footballer Brian Kerr, who previously managed his home side (but didn't get them into Euro 2008).
According to the UEFA website, Estonia's record against the Faroe Islands is won three, drawn one, lost one. I'm predicting them to win again this time, especially since it's a home game.
Edited for new FIFA rankings (Aug 11) and correct FIFA Trigramme for Faroe Islands
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)