A big six takeover by stealth? Or a much-needed reform to protect the future of the football pyramid? Welcome to the ‘Project Big Picture’ debate over a possible Premier League revamp.
But what do the radical proposals – which have been criticised by the Premier League, the government and supporters’ groups – actually involve?
Cutting the numbers
Prior to the formation of the Premier League in 1992, there had been a desire to reduce English football’s top-flight to 18 teams to reduce fixtures and support the national team.
The Football Association argued the removal of fixtures would leave players fresher for international matches and tournaments. That stance was also taken by former England bosses Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, who repeatedly called for less fixtures and a winter break but not if clubs were going to fill those dates with lucrative friendlies.
The new proposals would see each Premier League team play four fewer league matches.
There would be no change in the Championship, League One and League Two, with all retaining 24 teams.
But the structure of the professional game would alter with 92 clubs going down to 90 overall – meaning two clubs from League Two drop into the National League.