Unsworth welcomes new Premier League 2 format

, 20 July, 5comments | Jump to most recent

Under-21s manager David Unsworth says that Everton's younger players will benefit from the revamp of the former U21 Premier League as a new competition where the age limit will be raised to 23.

Everton will play in Division 1 of Premier League 2 that launches this coming season and which will operate in similar fashion to the format it replaces. 12 teams in each of the two divisions will be allowed to name one goalkeeper and three outfield players that are over 23 on their team sheets for a given game but the rest must be under that age threshold.

“The aim of the age shift is that we think there are going to be more older players and, on average, older squads playing," Unsworth told evertonfc.com ahead of the U21s' trip to Northern Ireland to compete in this month's SuperCupNI (formerly the Milk Cup).

“The best way to develop players is have them playing at a level that will test them every week.

"The Premier League are listening to a lot of Under-21 coaches. The hardest thing to do at this level is to get everyone on the same page and getting everybody to agree to changes. We certainly feel it's a step in the right direction."

Reader Comments (5)

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Dave Abrahams
1 Posted 20/07/2016 at 21:23:17

I hope the revamp makes the competition a lot less boring than the previous one.

I still feel the players who went out on loan improved and will benefit from doing so, although Tom Davies did exceptionally well by staying here.

Anthony Dwyer
2 Posted 20/07/2016 at 22:45:23

This may develop the likes of Besic Browning, and Garbutt when they can't make first team.

Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 20/07/2016 at 23:31:45

So what are we calling them? No longer the Under-21s... And "the FA Premier League 2 side" sounds a bit of a mouthful.

Maybe we could call them... er... Everton Reserves?

Ognjen Mojovic
4 Posted 21/07/2016 at 09:12:52

This will enable giving longer first contracts to players and it will lead to even more players in clubs, and still they won't have real competitiveness.

If the FA and Premier League want to improve English players, they should include reserve teams in the league system (like in Germany in Spain), or stop being protective at all (and allow clubs to have as many foreign players as they think it is appropriate). Otherwise, more Icelands are waiting to happen.

Peter Howard
5 Posted 21/07/2016 at 20:07:45

Michael

Watch it ! You'll be wanting us to sell Higson's Double Top next.

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