Report: Premier League now 'a third English'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 20 November 2014

A new study into homegrown players in the top tier of English football finds that homegrown players account for a third of time spent on the pitch.

A new study has found that English players are getting more minutes in the Premier League this season, but make up just over a third of time spent on the pitch.

BBC Sport's State of the Game report discovered that the rise in playing time from 32.36% in 2013-14 up to 36.06% this season can solely be attributed to Burnley, who have just one non-UK player among their ranks.

The study also found that Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and champions Manchester City used the most non-British players in the league, while just five English players took part in all 38 matches in the top-flight last season.

England coach Gary Neville last year called for a quota to be introduced to the English game, which would require sides to field a certain number of British-based players in their matchday squads.

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke also put forward plans for Premier League clubs introduce 'B teams' in a bid to improve the homegrown contingent in the top flight, but this proposal was rejected earlier this year.