In response to Englandâs exit from the Euros, I heard a much-vaunted argument on the radio that the foreign players in the English league make the domestic players look good and also inhibit local talent. It is perhaps interesting to note that on the opening weekend of the FA Premier League in 1992, there were only 13 foreign players. Working this figure as a per cent, over say a minimum of 200 players (excluding subs), suggests that less than 7% were born outside of the UK or Ireland in 1992. Here they are, including one of my own favourite QPR players - 'Jan the Man!' Eric Cantona Craig Forrest Gunnar Halle John Jensen Andrei Kanchelskis Anders Limpar Roland Nilsson Ronnie Rosenthal Peter Schmeichel Hans Segers Jan Stejskal Michel Vonk Robert Warzycha I wonder what the number will be 20 years at the weekend of 18th August - any guesses? On a separate note, I can name most of the teams (without googling) - but draw a blank on Craig Forest - Ipswich?? - and Michel Vonk - Sheffield Wednesday??
I made that point on the match thread. Its so true. Our domestic players are so far behind its embarrassing.
I think having players like some named above, Bergkamp, Zola - real class players here can only be good. It's the hundreds of average ones that are holding back our youngsters. In January, Mancini was saying he needed to spend more money because of the ACON. Surely there's an English boy or somewhere at a huge club like City worh giving a go to ? Chelsea oh etc etc I could go on all night. So OF COURSE the England team is average - it can't possibly be anything else.
Man City had the best youth set-up in the country a few years back but the Shiekhs wouldn't wait and so many good players never fulfilled their potential. Just look at Chelsea buying loads of teenage foreign players as well as snapping up a number of English youngsters as well. They won the FA Youth Cup this season but how many of that team will feature in the next five years? And how many English? That is the English problem in a nutshell...
It is because English players are too expensive for their relative talents and so there's no incentive not to look elsewhere. The top clubs tend to look to buy finished articles rather than bringing their promising younger players through (and investing heavily in youth academies). This is highlighted even moreso by the fact that United, Arsenal etc have started to use premier league clubs as a means of getting players experience - lower prem teams are not able to compete with youngsters who get drawn into the top clubs with the majority getting chewed up and spat out (and then having to start lower down the league structure again). I also never understand why all the home nations count as domestic players. Don't get me wrong, I'm probably more excited about the prospect of a united Team GB in the olympics than I was about the Euros but this argument only arises when England do badly. It's slim pickings for young talent (which is ultimately the problem) but I hope we'll rise above it with our investment in the youth setup.
I suppose its because the other 3 Nations are always sh*t anyway so the only reliable yard-stick to measure it by would be the English team. Plus the Premiership is in England and its the one we all (and half the World) follow.
Harry Redknapp was talking a few years ago about the desire of British players as compared to African and South American kids who come from nothing. He may have a point. (And Swords - I very nearly bit then!!)
Although the Irish are always the ones overachieving internationally despite being part of the same grueling season (a fact that might explain the likes of RVP's poor showing. The popularity of the Prem is due to its pace but, on the world stage, is ultimately to the detriment of the English based players.
Ach I didnae know that ye wee Chookter! Unfortunately the Scotch, Welsh and Irish teams are muck. And England ain't that much better. Something needs to be done.
The reason Sctlad are muck should be an obvious lesson to England - think back Jim Baxter, Kenny Dalglish, Denis Law.Brmner Souness Hansen and many more. Celtic won the Europen cup with a team of Glaswegians. That talent still exists out there somewhere, but he can't play in the strret, his playing field is being taken away - and even if he get's through all that - he's destined to hardky play a gane for a big club, will drop down the league and atrophy. I hope ths Brooking scheme can sort this. It vital to the future our sport. So glad we've invested in a youth acadamy and lets hope to buck the trend
Well said mate. Over here we have a Dutch bloke in charge of developing youth football. Like the Brooking scheme, we'll not know if its any good for a number of years when the lads come of age. But you're right, you've got to start somewhere.
Yes, Canadian, eh (it's what they say over here) - now an excellent football analyst. please log in to view this image Years Team Appsâ (Gls)â 1985â1997 Ipswich Town 263 (0) 1987â1988 → Colchester United (loan) 11 (0) 1996â1997 → Chelsea (loan) 3 (0) 1997â2002 West Ham United 30 (0) â Total 307 (0 ) National team 1988â2002 Canada 56 (0) please log in to view this image Forrest was forced to retire from professional soccer due to complications from acquiring and recovering from testicular cancer. He began working as a sports analyst with Rogers Sportsnet upon his retirement from playing. Forrest is considered by some to be one of the best players ever for Canada and continues to play a major role in promoting the game in the country, appearing frequently as a broadcaster for the men's national team and Toronto FC on Rogers Sportsnet and CBC.
