Eleven players were signed by the Premier League's "Big Six" clubs from "other 14" clubs this summer — not just Isak, but Norgaard, Eze, Joao Pedro, Enciso, Kerkez, Trafford, Ait-Nouri, Cunha, Mbeumo, Kudus.
https://nytimes.com/athletic/65921…
Between 2015/16 and 2021/22, such deals had slowed to a trickle. In 2017/18 there were just two: Riyad Mahrez (#LCFC to #MCFC) and a 38-year-old Rob Green (#HTFC to #CFC).
What's changed? Some will immediately scream "PSR!"
But that's a little too easy and convenient an explanation because
a) financial regulation was introduced in 2013
b) (this surprised me) the "Big Six" have contributed a far smaller share of Premier League spending in recent years than they did in the pre/early-PSR period.
(And if, like me, you're inclined to view it as a "Big Six Plus One" (#NUFC) now, then yes you lose the sale of Isak from that list of 11, but you also add the signings of Elanga, Wissa and Ramsey.)
PSR has certainly been a factor in
a) reinforcing the established order — bad
b) leading clubs to pursue more sensible, sustainable business models — good
but there are bigger factors, which relate to the concentration of wealth and talent in the Premier League — undeniably good for the Premier League, undeniably bad for football further afield
