Watford loan policy transfer saga runmbles on

Watford football club aren't usually in the papers. This season they've been at the centre of a massive news story - the rules on loan signings.

This season Watford are playing beautiful football, currently lying second in the championship, only behind Cardiff City; the only problem is, the majority of their first 11 players won't be here next season, regardless of whether they are promoted or not. 

Watford are owned by Italian Gino Pozzo, who is also the owner of Italian side, Udinese. His plan is to loan out the young and upcoming Udinese players to Watford, giving them a chance to earn valuable experience whilst helping Watford to perhaps gain promotion.

Matej Vydra is one of 13 loan signings done by Watford this season; ten have come from Udinese

This has created uproar throughout the leagues as other teams feel it is unfair for Watford's team to be mainly made up loan signings, such as top scorer, Matej Vydra. Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway has expressed his views on the matter, stating that it is "ludicrous". 

Watford have loaned in 13 players this season, 10 have come from Udinese and one from Chelsea - the only one to count towards the maximum of four loan signings from inside the same country.  However, they have not broken the rules as the only rule regarding loan signings is that only four can come from the same country and two from any one team in the same country. This means that what Gianfranco Zola's side has done is technically allowed.

In my opinion, they have not done anything wrong however to prevent people taking advantage of a system like this, rules should be implemented and a limit of foreign loanees should be created, otherwise no young, English footballers will get a chance to further develop their skills and potential.