Although presumably not about the state of the current transfer market, legendary recording artist Mic Boogie seems to have stumbled across a fundamental truth about modern Association Football when he declared 'everybody's doing it'.
Loan signings have undoubtedly shaped the current league tables, from Manchester United's loan signing of Henrik Larsson to Carlisle's ‘most famous’ ever (non)player.
Not that there is a problem with this, loan signings are very often a win-win situation for both the clubs and the player involved; a young player gains valuable first team football experience while the club taking him on get a player they might not otherwise be able to afford.
Loan signings have undoubtedly shaped the current league tables, from Manchester United's loan signing of Henrik Larsson to Carlisle's ‘most famous’ ever (non)player.
Not that there is a problem with this, loan signings are very often a win-win situation for both the clubs and the player involved; a young player gains valuable first team football experience while the club taking him on get a player they might not otherwise be able to afford.
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| Henrik's happy, Man Utd were happy and the fans were happy. |
However, with the ever-growing size of top squads and the stricter rules regarding player registration, players are increasingly available for loan and increasingly seen by chairmen and managers as quick-fix solutions.
Take the curious case of Slobodan Rajkovic for example; an international centre back who Chelsea originally signed from his native Serbia nearly six years ago. However he failed to make an appearance in a competitive match for the West London club, making over 60 while out on loan in the proving ground of the Eredivisie, and was recently sold to Hamburg.
This is merely the crux of the problem, the readily available short and long-term loan deals means that top clubs can effectively stockpile talent, safe in the knowledge that they will be able to play football at a sufficient level to continue their education in the game.
Some people may argue that clubs have always stockpiled young talent: isn't the function of the reserve side largely for just that purpose? Perhaps it is, but there is a difference in having a second side made up of almost exclusively of home grown academy graduates, and a side boasting capped internationals from all corners of the globe.
Take the curious case of Slobodan Rajkovic for example; an international centre back who Chelsea originally signed from his native Serbia nearly six years ago. However he failed to make an appearance in a competitive match for the West London club, making over 60 while out on loan in the proving ground of the Eredivisie, and was recently sold to Hamburg.
This is merely the crux of the problem, the readily available short and long-term loan deals means that top clubs can effectively stockpile talent, safe in the knowledge that they will be able to play football at a sufficient level to continue their education in the game.
Some people may argue that clubs have always stockpiled young talent: isn't the function of the reserve side largely for just that purpose? Perhaps it is, but there is a difference in having a second side made up of almost exclusively of home grown academy graduates, and a side boasting capped internationals from all corners of the globe.
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| Chelsea fans, recognise this player? No, of course you don't. |
In February whilst Arsenal were suffering a second half collapse against Newcastle United, their roster included 10 players showcasing themselves at other clubs including Armand Traore at Juventus. This was far from uncommon, former-Gunner Emmanuel Adebayor spent the season on loan at the iconic Real Madrid from his relatively new home at Manchester City. In fact, this February Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspurs, Chelsea and Liverpool boasted an impressive 66 players out on loan at other clubs.
While this included young players learning their trade at the Lincolns and Leyton Orients of the football league, the fact that others could have been winning Champions League medals or banging in Premiership goals for fun surely highlights the absurdity of this situation.
This season has seen no change to the situation either. Adebayor is once again amongst the big-name loan signings, now playing at Spurs, a situation that means that the club whose shirt he wears each Saturday will be battling the club to whom he's registered for league positions.
And this phenomenon isn't just restricted to the Premiership. Just three years ago Grenada CF were a struggling club on the brink of bankruptcy, but an agreement with Italy's Udinese brought the opportunity to loan young and fringe players. Twelve Udinese players turned out for the Andalucía club last season, bringing with them promotion.
While this included young players learning their trade at the Lincolns and Leyton Orients of the football league, the fact that others could have been winning Champions League medals or banging in Premiership goals for fun surely highlights the absurdity of this situation.
This season has seen no change to the situation either. Adebayor is once again amongst the big-name loan signings, now playing at Spurs, a situation that means that the club whose shirt he wears each Saturday will be battling the club to whom he's registered for league positions.
And this phenomenon isn't just restricted to the Premiership. Just three years ago Grenada CF were a struggling club on the brink of bankruptcy, but an agreement with Italy's Udinese brought the opportunity to loan young and fringe players. Twelve Udinese players turned out for the Andalucía club last season, bringing with them promotion.
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| Adebayor has so far been a success, but will he still be there next season? |
Now in La Liga, Grenada have been tipped by many to head straight back down again. Whilst the realists on the terraces of the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes might be happy with a healthy club and a spell in the glare of the top division, will other fans be able to recognise this as the false dawn that this probably is?
But what can be done about this? One would have thought that the tightening of player registration could help rectify the situation, and perhaps it will. However, the financial might of the big clubs currently means that they can continue to stockpile talent and loan the players out to continue their education.
Surely the current rules of eight standard loan players (plus two emergency loan signings), with five included in the starting line-up are too lax. If almost half a squad aren't registered to your club then surely this is not right.
The FA, it’s over to you!
But what can be done about this? One would have thought that the tightening of player registration could help rectify the situation, and perhaps it will. However, the financial might of the big clubs currently means that they can continue to stockpile talent and loan the players out to continue their education.
Surely the current rules of eight standard loan players (plus two emergency loan signings), with five included in the starting line-up are too lax. If almost half a squad aren't registered to your club then surely this is not right.
The FA, it’s over to you!
Jim
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