Portsmouth boss Kenny Jackett highlights crucial factor as EFL heads towards huge shake-up

Kenny Jackett believes it’s imperative clubs are allowed to reinvest money from player sales with a salary cap set to be introduced next season.
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The Pompey boss reckons it’s key outfits can put transfer fees generated back into their playing budget, with the EFL looking likely to undertake a seismic change with a ceiling placed on salaries.

The proposal has been forwarded to come into play next term with clubs in crisis amid the coronvirus pandemic.

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A £2.5m limit has been mooted for League One with a £1.25m figure mentioned for League Two, as well as 20 player restriction on squad sizes.

Pompey sold both Jamal Lowe and Matt Clarke for significant fees last summer and Jackett feels it’s important they have the ability to make use of continuing to do so with restrictions on spending in place.

Jackett said: ‘A wage cap does change things.

‘There’s clubs like us and Oxford United who have sold high.

‘That has to be considered to when you’re looking at an overall financial picture and players going out for very good money. That changes that picture.

Kenny Jackett. Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty ImagesKenny Jackett. Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Kenny Jackett. Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
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‘Are people interested in Portsmouth players? Yes, they are because they are used to playing under pressure in front of big crowds.

‘There’s more confidence higher up to buy those players compared to someone who’s played in front of 3,000. That’s a consideration, too.

‘It’s for the people who own clubs to vote on and for us to adapt to quicker than others if it comes in.

‘In terms of Portsmouth, we’ve sold quite high in recent seasons.

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‘We’ve changed that model slightly now but if we had to adapt we would be able to if it swings towards younger players.’

A £2.5m cap being put in place at League One level would mean a big overhaul for Pomey with their current playing budget far outweighing that figure.

Jackett believes it would be important to guard against creating yo-yo clubs between the Championship and third tier, with spending sky-rocketing at the higher level.

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Mark Catlin has stated he broadly supports the change but has highlighted potential flaws in the plan.

Catlin has long preached for clubs to be ran in a sustainable fashion and operating within their means in English football.

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