It has always been important for players to market themselves online to grow their outreach and exposure to scouts but now more than ever it is becoming much more common and powerful. The growth of social media platforms and the easy access to devices such as mobile phones and tablets that don’t leave someone’s side all day and night makes it easy and convenient for scouts to access data about players online before pinpointing their potential recruits, saving time, saving money and gaining access to many more players.
As well as the continued growth and access to social networking, there have also been other external factors that have affected the football recruitment and scouting industry. Two big factors that have had a significant influence that we can’t ignore are Brexit and of course, the COVID 19 pandemic. Both of which have created additional challenges to the industry and clubs but also increased opportunities for homegrown youngsters in the UK!
How Has Brexit Helped UK Players?
As of January 1st, 2021, all international athletes including European players now require a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) to play in the Premier League or English Football League (EFL). In order to qualify for a GBE, a player must meet the criteria outlined by the FA. The criteria have a point-based system where a player must score 15 points to automatically qualify. This means it is much more difficult for a player from outside of the UK to sign a contract with a Premier League or EFL club unless they meet the criteria which would require them to be a top-level play competing on the international stage for their country and playing a high level of professional football.
You can view all the documents and criteria on the FA website here
https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/policies/player-registration/points-based-system
International players coming out of contract who have not already qualified for an ‘extended right of residence or a ‘right of permanent residence’ with a Premier League or EFL club will have to go through the same process of qualifying for a GBE. Again, meaning clubs will utilise homegrown and academy players to replace those current players who do not qualify for a GBE.
Another important note is that under the new restrictions Premier League and EFL clubs are no longer allowed to bring in any European Nationals aged 16-18. This means that academy scholarship opportunities will be awarded to homegrown players only, increasing the opportunities for young UK-based talent.
Effects of COVID on the player scouting and recruitment industry
The main effect of Covid 19 on EFL clubs is the financial strain. Financial challenges for clubs have meant they have had to make cuts and tightly manage their spending so they are less likely to spend big money on international transfers and more likely to look towards their academy players to come into the first-team setup. We have already started to see young players filtering through more regularly into the first team throughout the EPL and the Premier League, including big clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal. So we certainly predict this trend will continue to grow with all English Clubs.
Another financial impact has lead to clubs not extending contracts of higher-paid players meaning those players are moving to different clubs within the EFL if those are willing to pay their wages or they are having to look overseas to receive a competitive pay packet to what they have been using to. Again, creating more opportunities for those hungry youngsters wanting to come into the fold and make a name for themselves.
With no amateur games and also restrictions on travel has meant EFL scouts have had fewer opportunities to travel around the world to find talent, shifting their focus primarily to the UK Market. Clubs across the board still need to strengthen their squads and replace injured players so are still looking to complete business in the transfer windows. With all of these difficulties, COVID has brought clubs are much more reliant on looking closer to home than overseas which is a great benefit to UK-based players.
Clubs will hopefully start looking to grow and invest in their academies (where possible with financial difficulties) to pay more attention to local players, inviting bigger numbers into the academy and scholarship setup so more individuals can be seen in that competitive environment!
Our goal at MTA is to put yourself in the best position possible to take advantage of this changing environment and increased opportunities within the UK!
Be Ready to Be Seen.
