Expert: Six Man City stars ‘relieved’ as Premier League rule change confirmed
The Premier League 2’s new registration criteria will be a “relief” for up to six Man City players who can continue their development at youth level despite being over the age threshold.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
City’s Under-23 side were crowned Premier League 2 champions for the second successive campaign in 2021-22, finishing six points clear of runners-up West Ham.
The Premier League announced last Friday (17 June) that the youth league will be an under-21 competition from the start of 2022-23.
But, as Dinnery explains, a tweak to the number of overage players allowed will means that rising City stars who are not yet ready to make the jump to the first team will not be left behind.
“There is an increase in the number of overage players that can be involved in these games,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“From under-23s, you could have three overage players plus a goalkeeper. That will be extended up to five players plus a goalkeeper with the under-21s.
“That will help players transition from that setup to the senior squad. They will be relieved. And the under-21 bracket is more reflective of the average age, which is 19 in Premier League 2.
“This is part of the continual assessment within EPPP, the Elite Player Performance Plan. This is also more in line with other competitions.
“I don’t see it making any massive changes with those overage players. The majority of players fall within the age range anyway.”
In other news, Man City told by pundit to U-turn on Julian Alvarez after journalist’s transfer update.