Premier League Reveals U21 Plans
The Premier League has announced details of England’s first national competition for Under-21 players – in an attempt to close the gap between club academies and first teams.
The new Barclays U21 Premier League will kick off on 17th August, and has been formed as part of the latest review into English youth development.
The 23 clubs that applied for category one status as part of the categorisation process of the new youth development system will take part in the inaugural season of the League.
The League will see 17 Premier League clubs and six Championship teams compete in three national groups until the end of the year, when they will be divided up into another three groups before the knockout semi-finals and the final take place.
The Premier League revealed to media that the emphasis of the new competition will be on playing U21 players – with each team limited to three over-age outfield players and one over-age goalkeeper.
There is also a requirement that at least two U21 Premier League matches must be at the main stadium of each club and the play-offs, semi-finals and final also be played at the main stadiums of the home clubs.
Richard Scudamore, Premier League chief executive, said on the League’s official website: ‘The restructuring and reform of the youth development system in English professional football is driven by the objective of producing more and better home grown players at every level.’
‘Each stage of a player’s development is tailored to ensuring they have the best possible chance of progressing and the new Barclays U21 Premier League addresses one of the most critical points – the transition from academy football to the highest standards in the first team. We believe this competitive environment, where fans can also come along to watch the next generation of Premier League and international players, will help deliver more talented home grown boys to that next level.’
