I'm not sure if this idea is mental or brilliant, but the Guardian are reporting an interview with Russia's FA's General Secretary where he makes a rather unorthodox claim.
Apparently they're considering either buying or loaning a squad of players and entering them into the domestic league, so that they'd be used to playing together on a weekly basis.
These players would be allowed to go back to their original side for Champions League or Europa games, as well as the winter break, leading to a more cohesive national side.
They're not happy with recent performances in qualifying tournaments and are pissed that their U21 side was eliminated at that point last week.
Totally out of the box thinking, but it's something that's done in other sports to some extent, with central contracts being pretty normal for national sides.
Not the part about entering a league, admittedly, but it's nice to see someone looking at alternatives to the norm, at least.
Completely barking, I know, but still!
Apparently they're considering either buying or loaning a squad of players and entering them into the domestic league, so that they'd be used to playing together on a weekly basis.
These players would be allowed to go back to their original side for Champions League or Europa games, as well as the winter break, leading to a more cohesive national side.
They're not happy with recent performances in qualifying tournaments and are pissed that their U21 side was eliminated at that point last week.
Totally out of the box thinking, but it's something that's done in other sports to some extent, with central contracts being pretty normal for national sides.
Not the part about entering a league, admittedly, but it's nice to see someone looking at alternatives to the norm, at least.
Completely barking, I know, but still!
