Stoke City boss Tony Pulis believes the Premiership's billionaire owners will be bad for the English game.

"Football in this country is changing rapidly, especially at the top end, and Manchester City are the latest club to move into the billionaire bracket after acquiring new owners promising no end of money and success," said Pulis.

"I am sure City supporters are delighted and I have no right to question the intentions of the new owners - good luck to them, in fact - but you have to wonder where it leaves our national sport.

"There are many kids coming through youth systems - but with managers under pressure to deliver and these new owners offering them an open chequebook to work from, will that talent get lost in the wash? And where does that leave the national team in the long term?

"Individuals like me don't have the power to change things. But the football authorities do, and perhaps now is the time to take some action for the good of the game.

"Perhaps they should insist that new owners set aside a certain figure for grassroots development.

"Yes, the likes of Manchester City will now take a massive leap forward - but where does it leave the game as a whole?"