PHIL Gartside has reiterated his view that an expanded two-tier Premier League would be good for English football.

The Wanderers chairman has caused a stir with his proposal to restructure the top end of the game, a move that would include two 18-team divisions with limited relegation.

And, speaking in his programme notes for this afternoon’s clash with Sunderland, he also believes a stronger group of clubs would also have a positive impact on the English national team.

Gartside, pictured, was charged by the Premier League late last year to find an issue that would provoke debate among a top flight think tank of chairmen and officials looking to discuss the development of the game.

His latest comments, of which The Bolton News received an exclusive excerpt, highlight the need for England’s national team to match the success of its clubs in Europe over the past few seasons.

“Much press speculation has surrounded the idea of an expanded Premier League by forming two divisions,” he said. “Surely a strong group of up to 40 to 50 clubs will help the game both in terms of excitement and help develop a stronger national team.

“The so-called best league in the world this year having four of its clubs in the quarter finals of the Champions League and three teams in the semi finals should be capable of producing a World Cup winning side.

“We need to direct investment into developing talent and not just paying more wages and more transfer fees in order to buy success or survival.”

Gartside also believes a fairer distribution of funds among the top divisions would ensure clubs like Southampton, Charlton and Norwich City would not experience the massive levels of debt they now face by being relegated into League One.

“We in football have to search for a more balanced solution to ensure that clubs continue to exist,” he said.

“This year’s relegated clubs from the Championship are a perfect example as to why we need to improve the distribution of monies on a wider scale.

“Those three clubs have very recent history of Premier League football and relegation from the top league has caused three ‘well managed’ clubs to spiral into debt and drop into the lower leagues for the first time in a long time.”