Post Brexit shakeup

Strictly speaking, the impending deadline is the end of the transition arrangement - Brexit happened in name only earlier this year, but becomes "real" from 1 January. Whatever future relationship deal is agreed (or not), it's clear both sides recognise the UK's withdrawal of freedom of movement to and from EU/EEA countries.

I doubt this will have much impact at EPL level, as clubs have been very successful in the past in persuading the Home Office to grant work permits to players from outside the EU who don't meet the requirements of the longstanding points system. This won't change, as bureaucrats are unlikely to want to second guess the views of world class coaches.

Ok, a handful of clubs, Chelsea in particular, will no longer be able to sign ridiculously large numbers of EU-based U18s and then farm them out on loan all around the EFL and elsewhere in Europe. Richer EPL clubs will enter agreements with EU-based clubs to create "nurseries" instead - I think Man United have already done this in Belgium?

The greater impact will be down the levels, although I disagree EU players are signed by EFL clubs because they are better footballers. The hard fact is British players are often relatively expensive to employ (we see this at non-League level too) while EU-players seeking to establish themselves in the English game and perhaps get a golden ticket to EPL riches have been employed relatively cheaply until now. The withdrawal of freedom of movement will restrict the supply of decent footballers, so the wage demands of British and Irish players are unlikely to be dampened down, to say the least. So EFL clubs, particularly at Championship level, may well face rises in their (already inflated) wage bills or accept a reduction in quality and competitiveness. I wonder which way they will go, given their track record? !!!