The Russian FA wants their national side to play in the Russian Premier League as preparation for the World Cup in 2018.
Russia's football authority is considering buying out the contracts of players who represent the senior squad so that the national team can play together for a full season ahead of the 2018 World Cup, which Russia is hosting for the first time.
Speaking to Russian news agency Itar-Tass, the Russian Football Union's secretary said:
"It is clear that we can only compete on the highest world level through teamwork. In this situation, it is necessary to look for possible competitive advantage. One of them, perhaps, the most important thing would be to create a core team – ‘Russia 2018’.
The team would take part in the Russian domestic championship in the season before the World Cup, that is 2017-18. The team would be formed from “leased” players who play regularly for Russia and represent the leading clubs."
Under the plans, 'Russia 2018' would loan players back to their original clubs during the winter break and the latter stages of the Champions League.
Russia's Fabio Capello is the highest paid manager in international football – with a reported wage of £7.8m – but his side had a disastrous World Cup, exiting Brazil at the group stage.
Anyone fancy seeing an England team in the Premier League? Thought not.
[via The Guardian]
