New 25-man squad in EPL

Will Tevez be axed at Man City? (Image courtesy of top-footballer.com)

The English Premier League (EPL) in football (soccer) is enforcing a new 25-man squad rule where each club can use only a maximum of 25 players above the age of 21 this season, according to this article by The Mail Online. This ruling would definitely affect the league’s rich clubs, which have big squads. Quite simply, they would have to sell off quite a few of their millionaire players. This is an important news story - it affects the cream of English football.

What the new rules are and how these would affect the league’s wealthiest clubs, such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, are explained in detail. The story is also presented in an easy-to-read style with the interesting use of colours and visual images. However, a recap of why the rules are necessary has not been explained. This would have been beneficial to readers.

The story could also have used more sources. Apart from Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp and another unidentified manager, the journalists do not appear to have approached other parties for interviews. A quote from the English Football Association (FA) or a football pundit like ESPN’s John Dykes would have helped give more interest and credibility. Also, a comment from FIFA’s Sepp Blatter, the originator of the rules, would have added more value. However, the fact that a leading tabloid newspaper in Australia, The Daily Telegraph (which has a large sports fan base) has a similar online article, shows that the story has substance.

The big, eye-catching action-oriented pictures used also helps to reflect the mood of the story. For example, the photo showing injury-prone Manchester United’s Owen Hargreaves looking on anxiously, while his manager, Alex Ferguson, is checking his watch, implies that perhaps Hargreaves' time is up - and so he should start looking for a new club - as he may be axed from the team.

Overall, a good story.