FIFA plans to submit a proposal within the next year that would tighten the role of homegrown players and shift the priorities of many clubs. The precise definition of “homegrown” has not yet been determined, but the aim is clear: to accelerate the development of younger players and change how squads are assembled.

Under the current Premier League requirement a 25-player squad may include “no more than 17” players who are not homegrown, leaving eight slots reserved for locally trained talent. That rule does not mandate how often those players must appear on the pitch. A similar provision exists in the UEFA Champions League. Both competitions currently define a homegrown player as one who has played at least three full seasons between the ages of 15 and 21 within a club or another club in the same country.

The proposed change would alter more than registration lists. It could influence substitution patterns, transfer-window activity and long-term roster construction. Clubs might be deterred from importing large numbers of veteran stars and instead invest greater resources in their youth systems. For teams that rarely field young homegrown starters, the adjustment would be significant.

There are four Premier League teams that have not included a homegrown player under 21-years-old in their starting lineup this season: Brentford, Leeds United, Aston Villa and recently-relegated Burnley. Those clubs would be among the most affected, facing the task of accelerating development or finding new young talent quickly.

By contrast, Manchester City would be best placed. Thirty of their 33 league matches so far included a U21 homegrown player in the starting XI, per The Times. Nico O’Reilly, 21, worked his way up City’s youth ranks since the age of eight and has started 26 league matches this season.

Manchester United are also relatively well positioned. Twenty of their 34 league games featured a U21 homegrown starter, with Kobbie Mainoo influential. The 21-year-old has made 12 starts in the last 13 league matches, shining under interim manager Michael Carrick’s tutelage.

Erling Haaland reinforced his commitment to Manchester City at the start of 2025 by signing a 10-year contract extension, underlining that he is not planning to leave the Etihad despite persistent links to Barcelona and Real Madrid. He originally arrived on a five-year deal, and speculation about a move to one of Spain’s so-called big two has continued even after the new long-term agreement.

City have taken their time to settle into the 2025/26 campaign after last season’s disappointment. Haaland began the season scoring freely but has been less prolific since the turn of the year. Last week at Burnley he reached his 24th Premier League goal of the season and remains the leading candidate to reclaim the Golden Boot.

No matter how the final month unfolds, with City chasing a domestic treble, Haaland played down transfer talk and pointed to the club’s project. “I’m super happy, and I’m looking forward to what’s next because I think it’s exciting times for City as a club and also me as a player,” he told ESPN. “I’m looking forward to continuing with City.” He has also said that “exciting times” beckon at the Etihad.

Barcelona-linked talk resurfaced during their recent presidential contest when Victor Font said he was negotiating a “preferential option” to sign the striker should he decide to leave. Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, insisted at the time that his client is “very happy” in Manchester. Real Madrid were known to have shown interest before Haaland’s rise, but there is less evidence of a concrete move being planned for the Norway international.

Within City, Haaland’s statements provide reassurance: the club never expected to need a replacement for him in 2026. There has been substantial squad turnover since last summer, and a pair of key January signings have helped shape a side now capable of challenging on multiple fronts. City are planning midfield activity this summer, with Rodri potentially joining Bernardo Silva in the departure lounge, and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández both mentioned as targets. “It’s been a lot of change now the last couple of years, I would say in the last year,” the 25-year-old said.

Manchester City have confirmed that John Stones will depart the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, the second long-serving figure to be leaving this summer after the earlier announcement of Bernardo Silva’s exit.

Stones’ contribution to City’s era of success is substantial: six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League. A goal-line clearance against Liverpool in January 2019 is remembered as a pivotal moment that effectively decided that season’s title race.

In response to the announcement being posted on Instagram, City fan and broadcaster Natalie Pike referred to Stones as “one of the greatest Premier League defenders of all time.”

In recent seasons injuries have limited his availability. He has averaged fewer than 20 Premier League appearances each season and, since City’s treble campaign in 2022–23, the 31-year-old has played progressively fewer matches. This season he missed a considerable chunk of games because of a thigh problem and has generally been used as a backup when fit.

Meanwhile the centre-back pecking order has shifted. Abdukodir Khusanov has established himself as a credible starter after joining in January 2025, Joško Gvardiol had moved from left back to centre back before suffering a leg break from which he has almost recovered, and Rúben Dias remains the manager’s most preferred option when fit. Marc Guéhi arrived in January in a deal that involved a fee so he could join immediately rather than wait until summer. Those factors leave Stones potentially fifth choice in the squad.

Even with Nathan Aké expected to leave, City are unlikely to lack central defenders next season provided Dias and Gvardiol are healthy. Khusanov and Guéhi are forming a promising partnership.

The club’s transfer focus appears to be further up the pitch, with midfield a priority after Silva’s departure and following the decision not to offer Kevin De Bruyne a new contract. Reports this week have linked Chelsea’s Enzo Fernández as an emerging target.

Stones turns 32 at the end of May. His technical profile makes moves to Spain, Italy or France logical, while Germany’s Bundesliga is also mentioned as a possible destination. The fact he will be available on a free transfer has also attracted reported interest from Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid.