Band 2 Rescue: Belgium

Who should UK clubs buy from FCV Dender now whilst they still qualify for GBE?

Sometimes transfers are all about the opportunities and timing, buying from Band 2 relegated clubs before players become Band 6 is an opportune move.

Why is this a good move?

All four of the GBE Band 2 leagues - Netherlands Eredivisie, Belgian Pro League, Portguese Primeira Liga, and, now, Brazil’s Serie A - all have second tiers which are in GBE Band 6.

This means that when a player is relegated from the top tier he will only keep his Band 2 points, which often will get a player a straight GBE, especially if they have played 40% or more available minutes, for the period of the summer.

As soon as they are registered for a match day squad in the new season in the lower tier, they will be classified as Band 6, and therefore have no chance of getting a straight GBE.

All players who have played in Band 2 will still be ESC eligible, because the reference period for ESC is two years, but with ESC becoming restricted to under 23 only, this will now also only apply to a select group of players.

Also, ESC slots are becoming tighter and there aren’t as many available as there was even last summer, so the need for GBE eligible players has increased.

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Belgium