Blackpool's League One rivals Wrexham making 'transformational change' - could affect EFL Cup and FA Cup

Blackpool's League One rivals Wrexham along with the four other clubs from Wales are considering entering a Welsh competition to qualify for European football.

At the moment, the only way Welsh clubs can qualify is through winning the Carabao Cup or the FA Cup, or finishing in the top six of the Premier League, but that could soon change. According to the BBC, Wrexham, as well as Cardiff City, Newport County, and Swansea City, have held talks with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) about joining their League Cup competition and making it an opportunity to qualify for Europe.

The four teams would continue to play their league football in the English system, but they would have to sacrifice the ability to qualify for Europe, should one of them win a domestic cup competition in England. Swansea City won the EFL Cup back in 2013 and reached the Round of 32 in the UEFA Europa League, but were representing England at the time.

All four teams as well as the FAW have shared these plans with the clubs that do play in the Welsh system, and they are said to be on board with the decision. Wales' league is ranked 50th out of 55th in Europe, and the opportunity for the more professional clubs to compete in Europe could improve their coefficient rankings, as well as bring more money in to the Welsh game, should one of them progress to the group stages of the Conference League.

In the Prosiect Cymru report, it reads: “Welsh football is in a unique position within European football in that its largest clubs play in the domestic league of another country (England).

“This has historically limited the ability of Welsh domestic clubs to be competitive in Uefa club competitions.

"An innovative solution to address this position has transformational potential for the whole Welsh football ecosystem from grassroots to the professional men’s and women’s game.”

Cardiff, Newport and Swansea’s academy teams currently compete in the League Cup, but there is no European spot for the winner, unlike in England. The club which finishes top of the league qualifies for the Champions League, there’s then a play-off between second and seventh, as well as who wins the Welsh Cup.

The New Saints (TNS) became the first club from the Welsh pyramid to qualify for the official rounds of a European competition when they qualified for the Europa Conference League this summer. They face Fiorentina, the runners-up of the last two finals at the Artemio Franchi Stadium this Thursday (October 3).