Kieran Maguire: Crystal Palace land ‘huge benefits’ from FA rule change
Crystal Palace are among the smaller Premier League clubs which will feel “huge benefits” from the FA relaxing work permit restrictions.
That is the opinion of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the impact of post-Brexit transfer restrictions on smaller Premier League clubs.
Following Britain’s departure from the European Union, the FA along with the Home Office introduced a GBE points system in 2021.
The system meant players must reach certain points criteria to be granted a work permit in England.
However, The Athletic reported on Saturday (4 March) that the Football Association are willing to relax the restrictions to allow more Premier League clubs to recruit earlier.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters believes the visa transfer system introduced by the FA after Brexit contributed to the record-breaking £815m spent by Premier League clubs during the January transfer window.
Maguire believes the changes are good for English football and while they won’t impact the “powerhouse” clubs, it will benefit smaller teams.
“I don’t see elite Premier League clubs being significantly affected by this because they already have the checks and balances in place to protect themselves,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“Why didn’t any powerhouse clubs go for players such as Kaoru Mitoma? It wasn’t because he’s unavailable, he’s just the type of player to fly beneath the radar.
“The smaller clubs in the Premier League will be strengthened by changes.
“Crystal Palace comes to mind as a team likely to be a broader beneficiary.
“They are more likely to try and identify younger talents across the country and this will bring huge benefits such as a less inflated market and a larger talent pool to recruit from without restriction.“
In other news, Swansea City set sights on signing Crystal Palace star Killian Phillips