The African market is fascinating though and Salzburg seem to pluck players out of Mali or Zambia and flog them a few years later for 7/8 figures
It means we can bring him back but also loan him out to a L1/L2 club as long as they don't already have 2 players under the system
There's a single professional player from Vanuatu and he just won the A-League, don't think we're signing anyone from there.
This has been in the pipeline for a while so we'll have known about it. I always thought Shelbourne was about getting our youngsters minutes and being able to sign u18 players from the EU. Even with these changes, we still can't sign u18s from abroad (without Shelbourne). I'm not sure, if someone like Celi would qualify for an EU work permit either. It's a fascinating rule change which opens up a few markets but whether we have the scouting resources to capitalise is questionable and you also have to make sure the players are good enough as you get penalised if they don't play enough minutes
I remember a looooonnnng time ago, I think it was Championship Manager 05/06, the first one I bought, I was amazed going through every country to see where their players played. In those days, the game didn't make up players for International teams, it just left the page blank, but I remember The Solomon Islands always had one player, Henry Fa'arodo. Was surprised to learn he only retired in 2021.
I was aware it was sarcasm, I thought the person asking ST was being genuine so I clarified the level of talent from Vanuatu to emphasise why ST was being sarcastic.
This relaxing of this overseas players rule sounds positive for the clubs, but maybe not so much for British academy players trying to come through the ranks, as this is extra competition for the first squad. Nevertheless, only the best usually make it in the end, which probably won't change, if you're good enough then you will succeed. It is possible Celi could have his current loan cut short, as he is not getting a lot of game time where he is just now. Could he be loaned to Shelbourne initially, that would be a real boost for them I would say.
Part of my concern with the multi-club model also comes down to team selection.. if we send Celi to Shelbourne, do we put pressure on them to play him?
I am sure the coach/manager will have the last say. I think Acun learnt very quickly with us that interfering too much is not the best way forward. However, from what I have seen he is a step up in class from what they currently have, and with European football in mind, the stronger the squad the better.
Still can't get my head around the Shelbourne connection. Their coach, Duff, seems to be a colourful outspoken character whom the fans think is the greatest. From online reading, he seems very strong-minded, very opinionated and has said several times that the new major shareholder changes nothing for him unless it improves what he sees as positives for the club and going forward with his vision - so Acun, telling him to take and play players or blood a few potential starlets, would likely have Duff walking immediately (can I say hothead or is that considered a pejorative term in the great woke world we now live in?) - whatever, Duff walks and there is an immediate toxic relationship between Acun & his new club.
Duff was a very feisty little character on the field, hugely talented and passionate, I see no reason why he would change now he is management tbh. All credit to the bloke, however I don't think he'll have his belly rubbed so passively by new owners like we do here.
