FC Botoșani’s coach Leo Grozavu emphasizes the need for Romanian teams, especially those struggling in the standings, to rely more on Romanian players and restrict the number of foreigners in the Superliga. He points out the difficulty in acquiring quality Romanian players but believes teams like Botoșani must have a stronger Romanian core rather than field many foreign players, highlighting that his current squad included five foreigners in the recent 1-1 draw against Farul Constanța[1].
Grozavu’s stance coincides with his decision to delay re-signing French player Hervin Ongenda, the only club where Ongenda has thrived despite multiple moves elsewhere. This reflects a broader strategy to develop local talent amid the challenges posed by free movement rules in the European Union[1].
This approach could impact Romanian football by encouraging sustainable team building and potentially improving the national talent pipeline.