If it came down to it

[Parm]

Richards is a good shout but I'd prefer Nicky Butt to Scott Parker myself.

Richards needs to come to us, he would be ideal, an absolute world class star in the making.

Well actually thinking about it, BArry and Gerrard do seem to work well in midfield together..

[tomasjj]

Pepe, Xabi, Torres

[Parm]

Isn't it five years a player must have been in England before he gets a English passport?

If that is the case then Xabi would be able to get one in 2009 so that would solve that problem because FIFA/UEFA would never be able to force through the change before then.

oh not sure, I remember the assimilated players thing a few years ago, is that still in force in this country? I saw today Eto'o has received Spainish citizenship today after spending X number of years there.

[timmokay]

Torres, Masher & Agger for me.
I think they more or less pick themselves to be honest. As good as Pepe is, Carson is a ready made replacement whereas which English players could replace the 3 players I've picked.

I'd go with that three aswell. Can't think of any English replacements for them, good call

[dww]

well would the Irish/Welsh/Scots be classed as Foreign? Could take Gordon as the goalie.
As for a British striker, maybe Robbie Keane (as mentioned in another thread)

There is no British or Irish keeper of any decent standard who operates as a sweeper in the way Rafa likes and Reina does as far as I can see. Maybe some could learn but that is a bit of a gamble as that appears to have been a problem with Carson and he was young and I imagine trying to change a more experienced keeper would be harder.

I think if the rules ever came back it would probably be Irish = foreign, the UK = one country.

[Woobus]

Will it not just be you are allowed 3 foreign players in a match day team? With Rafas rotation he would be able to keep more than 3 happy at the club.

[homer1]

Pepe, Agger & Torres

Wasn't the idea that you could have more than this amount on your books (I think 5) but only have 3 in your team / squad which would add Mascher & Xabi to the list

[Nic83]

Wasn't the 3 foreigners rule just non EU players?

[Nic83]

We have carson BTW, Reina could be let go.

[homer1]

Wasn't the 3 foreigners rule just non EU players?

Don't think so - back in the 80s weren't Gullit, Van Basten & Rijkaard the main 3 at Milan, but then they had people like Papin in teh squad but they couldn't all play together?

[Nic83]

Aah, maybe I'm too young!

[homer1]

Aah, maybe I'm too young!

Or I'm too old & can't remember right

[Neil Young]

Don't think so - back in the 80s weren't Gullit, Van Basten & Rijkaard the main 3 at Milan, but then they had people like Papin in teh squad but they couldn't all play together?

That rings a bell. Wasn't that an Italian FA rule only though?

[saveferris]

From what I remember, that was either an Italian rule, although later on it was 3 non EU players but wasnt that limited to European competition?

I would choose Agger, Alonso and Reina. If we could keep 5 in the squad then Masher and Torres.

[Red Chilli]

You could have as many as you wanted in the squad but only 3 in the TEAM.


It would simply mean that Rafa would be rotating a bit more than usual

I think it was only the premiership that didn't have this rule, I remember the SCUM going mental over it because they had to drop player for European games.

Maybe the Premiership had the rule that it was 3 non british players