Talks have begun over English football's big shake-up

Six leading figures from the Premier League, FA and EFL have met in person for the very first time today (Friday) to thrash out several proposals from top-flight clubs; which include scrapping FA Cup replays, restricting teams in European competitions to only fielding junior sides in the Carabao Cup and moving the Community Shield from its regular slot as the season's curtain-raiser.

The Premier League has put forward the proposals as part of what is being dubbed 'A New Deal For Football', which could bring about the most significant changes since its inception in 1992. Its aim is to reduce fixture congestion from 2024 onwards.

It is also in return for the Premier League sharing more of its money with the lower divisions, with the EFL calling for an extra £ 300 million in funding. However, so far top-flight teams have only agreed to just over half of that figure.

If the three bodies fail to reach an agreement, a statutory independent regulator proposed by the government - who are expected to publish a white paper outlining its plans in the next few weeks - would be able to intervene on a financial settlement. 

The EFL is understood to be open to tweaking the Carabao Cup, though only for what they deem is an acceptable financial settlement.

The options on the table are for clubs competing in European competitions to either not take part in the domestic cup competition at all or field sides containing Under-21 players.

As for the FA Cup, the Premier League is keen for replays to be scrapped from the third onwards, which is when top-flight teams join the competition. Replays are currently carried out up until the fourth round.

Jurgen Klopps thoughts.

The Community Shield is also on the table, with the timing of the traditional curtain-raiser match between the Premier League champions and FA Cup winners set to be discussed.

Bigger clubs believe the game, which is usually held on the Sunday before the first Premier League weekend, disrupts their pre-season build-up as well as lucrative overseas tours.

Potential alternatives include playing it either on the opening weekend or mid-season, moving it to an international market such as the United States, or, as one club are hoping, making it an 'All Stars' game which sees Premier League teams providing two players each to face stars from other European leagues.