Tottenham ahead of Arsenal as FIFA consider new rule that could change everything in North London
Tottenham Hotspur are faring better than most Premier League sides when it comes to playing young English talent in the Premier League this season.
As per The Athletic, FIFA is considering a proposal that would mandate all clubs to have at least one homegrown player from the under-20 or under-21 category on the pitch at all times.
A consultation process for the proposed obligation is gaining support and is set to be submitted to the FIFA Council in the next year.
Currently, the Premier League’s rules say a club’s squad must have no more than 17 players who are not homegrown in their maximum 25-player roster. That leaves up to eight slots available for those that fit that criteria.
As Tottenham try to stay in the Premier League, figures show they are one of the best in the division for giving young English talent a go.
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Archie Gray leading the way for Tottenham
According to The Athletic, Newcastle United are top of the pile for handing out first-team minutes to English under-21 players, with Manchester City and Manchester United rounding off the top three.
Tottenham, who sit 18th in the Premier League and are two points from safety, sit sixth in this English talent table, comfortably ahead of London rivals Chelsea, West Ham, and Arsenal. Much of that is down to Archie Gray, mind.
The former Leeds United man makes up the vast majority of Tottenham’s Premier League game time, but after him, nobody seems close to making a first-team breakthrough.
That is likely to change if Tottenham fail to stave off relegation to the Championship, with Spurs expected to rely on youth if that comes to pass.
So, if FIFA implemented this change, Tottenham would be fine. However, the likes of Leeds United and Aston Villa would likely have to blood an English academy talent.
The former also have another Gray in their pipeline with 17-year-old striker Harry Gray.
Ultimately, though, while Tottenham are in the top six for this niche area, they are in the bottom three in the Premier League.
Tottenham look to experience over youth
Gray is one of the few Tottenham players to come out of this season with any credit but currently, the 20-year-old is struggling for game time under Roberto De Zerbi.
The utility player was trusted heavily by Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor.
But the Italian has opted to play the likes of Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur of late as they try to stave off relegation to the Championship.
Indeed, Gray was an unused substitute against Wolves in their 1-0 win at Molineux. The youngster will hope to play against Aston Villa on Sunday but it remains to be seen if that will happen.
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