Will the home grown rule really boost the England team?

This season has seen the introduction of the new home grown rule in the Premier League, a decision that has changed the dynamics of the transfer market and will almost certainly impact upon the quality of Premier League football.

Having responded to the xenophobia of the tabloid press, Richard Scudmore and the other Premier League bosses may need to be reminded of the reason the Premier League has become one of, if not the, best leagues in the world - a blend of technical proficiency mixed with high-tempo matches.

With this combination being provided by the technical ability of players such as Cesc Fabregas, Mikel Arteta, and Nani, foreign players have helped to increase the talent required for aspiring footballers to make it in the top tier. However, with the English national side providing yet another underwhelming performance in a competition (although at least they qualified for this one), the transfer market has been thrown into chaos with the introduction of the home grown rule. The Betfair specialists have certainly been surprised by some deals as top sides look to snatch young English talent wherever they can find it.

Despite the fact England failed to succeed at international level before the increase in foreign players plying their trade in the Premier League, and the FA's failure to introduce a national academy to support youngsters in their development, footballing chiefs have now decided that it is the increase in competition for places, rather than a lack of support for youth development, that has caused the national team to flounder.

When you consider the fact many people make Bolton betting tips for relegation every season, it's hard not to sympathise with a manager who picks an experienced overseas defender over a young English player - he has to select a winning team.

Relegation for teams such as Bolton would be catastrophic, while for Arsenal not making the Champions League would also be a disaster, so it is perhaps wiser to look at the fact that managers can't afford to play to the press and blood untested, expensive, and perhaps not as talented English youngsters in the Premier League.