Should Clubs be Involved in the EFL Trophy

Lack of Focus on League

Some have argued that the EFL Trophy has failed to capture the imagination of the fans, as is evident in the low attendance figures and the lack of media coverage.

The competition is also seen as a distraction for clubs, as it takes away from their focus on their league campaigns. This is especially true for clubs in the lower divisions, who have limited resources and cannot afford to field two strong teams.

For example, in the 2019-20 season, only 12% of matches had 500 or more fans in attendance. In addition, just 1% obtained more than 1,000 fans, according to data from Transfermarkt.

Too Many Matches

Another criticism of the EFL Trophy is that it involves too many matches. This can be a burden for the clubs, especially those with small squads.

Those teams are forced to field weakened teams in the EFL Trophy, which can lead to poor results and fan dissatisfaction. This can damage the reputation of the team and make it harder to attract new players and fans.

The 2023-24 version will include 92 clubs, comprising 23 from League One and 47 from League Two. The inclusion of a group stage will bring an additional two matches for every team.

Lack of Prestige

The EFL Trophy is also criticized for its lack of prestige. This is due to the fact that it is not a major trophy and does not offer a place in Europe.

As a result, some clubs have chosen to field weakened teams in the competition, which has further eroded its prestige.

According to a 2022 survey by the Football Supporters’ Association, 63% of fans believe that the EFL Trophy should be scrapped. Only 12% believe that it should be kept in its current format.