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Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has called for a limit on the number of foreign players in the Premiership.
Giggs supports the view that there are too many average overseas players who are blocking the progress of young home-grown players and believes that it is time for the game's authorities to act.
"I think they've got to do something," Giggs told the Manchester United magazine. "If you ask any player they'll say the same thing.
"There's no problem when you're bringing in quality players, the likes of Peter Schmeichel or Eric Cantona, they're nothing but good for the game.
"But then you've got mediocre players coming in while there are plenty of 18 and 19-year-olds who could do the job. And because the imports are cheap, clubs think they have to buy them.
"Managers are under so much pressure to produce, they've got to be seen to be buying and it's like 'Oh, he's a foreigner, he must be good.'
"I think some sort of measure should be brought in, although it will have to be done sensibly. The previous foreigner rule caused us problems and the amount of foreign players has probably trebled since then. It's a difficult one.
"But if you look at the more successful teams – Leeds, Liverpool and ourselves – they've all got young players and a good balance."
Giggs supports the view that there are too many average overseas players who are blocking the progress of young home-grown players and believes that it is time for the game's authorities to act.
"I think they've got to do something," Giggs told the Manchester United magazine. "If you ask any player they'll say the same thing.
"There's no problem when you're bringing in quality players, the likes of Peter Schmeichel or Eric Cantona, they're nothing but good for the game.
"But then you've got mediocre players coming in while there are plenty of 18 and 19-year-olds who could do the job. And because the imports are cheap, clubs think they have to buy them.
"Managers are under so much pressure to produce, they've got to be seen to be buying and it's like 'Oh, he's a foreigner, he must be good.'
"I think some sort of measure should be brought in, although it will have to be done sensibly. The previous foreigner rule caused us problems and the amount of foreign players has probably trebled since then. It's a difficult one.
"But if you look at the more successful teams – Leeds, Liverpool and ourselves – they've all got young players and a good balance."