- Jan 24, 2016
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Spain don't have a reserve league/teams, they use B teams and youth sides - and yes it works for them.
The issue is England has more league teams than most other countries and introducing B teams (which I'm in favour of) would sound the death knell for many lower league teams.
I believe the way Spain and Germany alleviate the affect on lower league teams is by strictly allowing for the maximum 25 players per squad. If you're not registered in the league you don't play. For U21 players they also havr to be registered and can play no more than 5 games in either an A or B team and still be allowed to move up/down between teams.
It means the clubs can't really horde players but can still get them in competitive football.
If it was Spurs, you'd effectively have 2 squads of players (50 in total) regardless of age - all registered. All other players would be part of the academy league or not play.
There is more chance of Basildon Town winning the Champions League than that sort of restructuring happening in this country. There's over a hundred years of culture and tradition standing in the way. In the long run it could perhaps, maybe, possibly improve some aspects of the game but it would also kill something important stone dead. I also don't see it ending rich clubs gaming the system. The rules would have to be very clear and strict which just isn't going to happen with the powerful Premier League round the table. They'll always find a way to tighten the screw just that bit tighter.