It does not surprise me as I had a chat with a scouse mate in the early 90's about the effect of imported players to the EPL. We agreed that it would have a plus side to the league but would be detrimental to English football.
This is in my opinion what has happened.
Because English football was really strong before the early 90s? LOL
I especially loved England's run in the 70s when they failed to qualify for four consecutive tournaments. Damn foreigners...
Wow you really know your football. In the 70's. English sides were dominating the European Cup Winners Cup--Man City and Chelsea.
Inter-City Fairs Cup - Arsenal, Leeds, Spurs, Liverpool . The European Cup- Liverpool and Nottingham Forrest.
In the 80's Liverpool,Nottingham Forrest and Aston Villa won the European Cup.
LOL
English teams did quite well then and instead of United it was Liverpool who ruled the roost. I think the introduction of foreign players may have improved the standard but the down side is, is that it started to limit the chances of some home grown players whom not up to the high standard, were never really given the chance of experience to get to that high stand. If you follow what I mean. Does that read right??