http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19922514# The FA are considering the introduction of financial rewards to clubs who develop more British players. Has to be a good idea doesn't it? Saints should certainly have no problem qualifying!
Anything that would improve the standard of coaching and, therefore, the quality of young English players is a good thing, but still vague at this stage. The work of the St George's Park in training coaches will be more important than incentives at this stage. A point was made recently that top players tend to want to move straight into management, whereas they should seek to improve their coaching skills (like Adkins did) and try coaching first. I think this would also produce better managers.
Whilst this scheme may develop technically proficient players in the future, will they be coached to play in a certain style and anyone who doesn't conform, consigned to the "scrapheap." As a teacher, children and adults are set parameters within which to pass an exam. Read an exam paper and there are precious few scripts that stand out individually. I feel parameters will appear with regard to future footballers, in that players will be expected to conform. We are already seeing it with France at international level. Whilst they are technically better than England, they displayed an alarming lack of imagination at Euro 2012. Similarly, England have been unimaginative for years because of a lack of individuality, a la Alan Ball and Paul Gascoigne. I wonder how Le Tissier would fit in with the modern concept? Before I finish with my thoughts, some of you may have heard the story, prior to Barcelona signing Messi as a junior. They were very hesitant due to his size but the wise talent scout on the spot insisted on getting him signed by said club!
It should only apply for players who have been in the academy for a certain length of time. It's already unfair that big clubs can cherry-pick the best players from lower league clubs for a tuppence, if they were to then get financial rewards for a player who they acquired from Barnet for a tuppence just a couple of seasons previously on top of that, that seems even more unfair.
All these swanky academies and tons more coaches will make zero difference in the long run to the England national side. The only rules I'd introduce for youngsters to improve the situation would be... - No agents until they are 23 years old - No using social media sites until after they have stopped playing - No interviews by the media until they are 23 - No watching of X-Factor - If they get caught wearing oversized headphones in public, automatic 10 match ban
Les Reed taking part in a discussion on Sky about youth development, especially with regard to training coaches and use of small games for all age groups until u13.
