Chelsea and the Big Clubs are Hurting English Football

While Sir Alex Ferguson has been quick to deny that he told a South African newspaper that "Chelsea is ruining football" with all of the palyers they've purchased, he was prepared to say this:

"The question I posed is that if it's correct that they've signed 30 African boys how are they all going to get a game? That was my point.". (BBC 2006.07.22)

And I think he is right.

While all of those players are making more money than if another team had come in for them, they will not all be able to develop properly.

But I also believe that apart from the individual players, the English game itself is hurting as a result of Chelsea's purchasing power and that of the other big clubs.

Chelsea are not the only team to single out.

I think it would be great if some type of mechanism could be put into place to restore a competitive balance in English football.