Liverpool's 17-year-old starlet Ifeanyi Ndukwe has been ruled out of competitive action for the Reds.
The Austrian teenager has impressed in pre-season, drawing gasps from the crowd with a neat backheel to wrong-foot Monaco's Mika Biereth. Ndukwe was handed a start alongside captain Virgil van Dijk against Monaco at Anfield on Sunday, and his performances have sparked optimism in the Liverpool camp.
However, his prospects of playing in the Premier League this season have been dealt a blow due to post-Brexit work permit rules. The rules, which came into effect after the UK's departure from the European Union, have made it more complex for clubs to bring in foreign players.
Austria youth international Ndukwe doesn't currently have enough points to obtain a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) to obtain a work visa. This means he can only play in friendly matches, and not in competitive games. The Governing Body Endorsement is a requirement for foreign players to obtain a work visa, and Ndukwe's lack of points means he doesn't meet the criteria.
There is another route into the squad, through taking up an Elite Significant Contribution (ESC) slot. This is awarded to foreign players who do not qualify for the standard GBE. However, Premier League and Championship clubs have limited ESC places available, and Liverpool's percentage last season means they only get one ESC place. This has already been taken by Senegalese 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye.
Ndukwe's situation highlights the challenges faced by clubs in navigating the new work permit system. The system has been put in place to ensure that players who are yet to establish themselves at the top level are able to move to England. However, it has also made it more difficult for clubs to bring in young talent.
The Premier League has introduced new rules to help clubs navigate the work permit system. However, these rules are still in their early stages, and it remains to be seen how they will affect the transfer market in the coming months. Ndukwe's case will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike, as his situation highlights the complexities of the work permit system.
The 17-year-old's future at Liverpool remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether he will be able to obtain a work visa in the future. For now, he will have to content himself with playing in friendly matches, and hoping that his situation will change in the future.
Source: Yahoo Sports
