Strongest league if imports were not allowed

[eurodad]

As it stands right now (IMO) the strongest leagues in the world are in England, Spain and in Italy. Now, if import players were not allowed, would they still be the strongest leagues or would it be (for example) the Brazilian or Argentinian league ?

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Do you mean foreign players are ineligable or every player plays in their country of birth?

[eurodad]

Do you mean foreign players are ineligable or every player plays in their country of birth?

Foreign players are ineligable.

[Sildegil]

Easy ... France or Brazil.

[OutKast3000]

England by a longshot.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Serie A

[Toon³]

Serie A. Because the french, brasilian and argentine national teams are made up of the elite and most of the other players from that country aren't anything special.

[Sempre]

England by a longshot.

All-English teams would certainly still be competitive,
but given that even some of the weaker Prem teams
(like Bolton and Fulham, for example) have starting XIs
loaded with foreigners, I think it would take some time
for youth programs to replace all these players. The
Bundesliga, too, is heavy with foreigners (though that
is changing . . .)

By the way, eurodad, can the coaches be foreigners?
That would make a huge impact on the Prem, where
no English coach is in charge of a top team.

[eurodad]

All-English teams would certainly still be competitive,
but given that even some of the weaker Prem teams
(like Bolton and Fulham, for example) have starting XIs
loaded with foreigners, I think it would take some time
for youth programs to replace all these players. The
Bundesliga, too, is heavy with foreigners (though that
is changing . . .)

By the way, eurodad, can the coaches be foreigners?
That would make a huge impact on the Prem, where
no English coach is in charge of a top team.

Interesting question !! I did not think of that. Lets say for now, we are only looking at players. Simular to national teams, coaches can be international. Good question though.

[eurodad]

And again, the question is strongest league. That means from top to bottom of each league and not judging by the top three or four teams. Im looking for the most depth.

[Johnlong]

I think it would still come down to finance.

England is the richest so if imports stopped tommorow no doubt every club instead of investing £10 Million + on transfers would set up new academys like most already have but the scouting networks would be MASSIVE,50 extra scouts looking around the sunday league games etc per team.Loads of talent is missed so more would be found IMO.

Italy produces quite a few home grown talents who i think would make it a strong league too.

[Toon³]

And again, the question is strongest league. That means from top to bottom of each league and not judging by the top three or four teams. Im looking for the most depth.

It sounds like your trying to judge the strongest league interms of the strength of the teams in the league but is this with the players from that country and league that currently play in that league. For example Ronaldo plays in spain so can he add to the strenght of the Brasillian league even though he doesn't play there?

I hope this makes sense :confused:

[Gregoriak]

Here's an interesting link (http://soccer-europe.com/Data/Players/ForeignPlayers.html) that deals with the number of foreign players in the top European leagues.

[eurodad]

It sounds like your trying to judge the strongest league interms of the strength of the teams in the league but is this with the players from that country and league that currently play in that league. For example Ronaldo plays in spain so can he add to the strenght of the Brasillian league even though he doesn't play there?

I hope this makes sense :confused:

Renaldo would have to play for a Brazilian team.

[eurodad]

Here's an interesting link (http://soccer-europe.com/Data/Players/ForeignPlayers.html) that deals with the number of foreign players in the top European leagues.

Fantastic link. Thank you. That really puts things into prospective for those leagues.

[Sempre]

Here's an interesting link (http://soccer-europe.com/Data/Players/ForeignPlayers.html) that deals with the number of foreign players in the top European leagues.

Thanks. La Liga and Serie A have the lowest percentage
of foreigners for top leagues (29 and 31%); while the Prem
and the Bundesliga have much bigger foreign populations
(48 and 56%).

So, if depth is a key here, these numbers have to be weighed.

[Sempre]

Italy produces quite a few home grown
talents who i think would make it a strong league too.

The main strength of Serie A would be the professionalism
of the players, not necessarily the quality of the players.

IMO Italy is notable for producing well-trained, sometimes
rather cynical, players who know how to grind out a result
against superior opposition; Italian coaches are also quite
pragmatic, if uninspired at times.

[SirManchester]

I'm also going to have to say the Seria A.

[Toon³]

Renaldo would have to play for a Brazilian team.

So this means that all foreign players such as all the french players at Arsenal and the Brasilians in spain would be inelligble for this debate?

[eurodad]

I personally think that we would see the usual suspects at the top of the list, but we would also see some of the weaker leagues come up in strength because the would be able to hold on to thier talent. I think we would have to add the Brazilian league right up there for sure.