I've been thinking a lot about the differences in youth development in this country compared to those of Spain and Germany etc. I do think for the sake of the national team more needs to be done in the way of encouraging Premier League teams to field English players in their sides. I find it truly remarkable and inspiring that Barcelona fields 8 Spanish players in their starting 11. It's very impressive.
The only downside to encouraging English over foreign players is that it may have a negative effect on the Premier League and the revenue it creates, it may also hinder it's reputation as the best or most exciting league in the world. The premier league, traditionally fields most of the worlds best players, only recently has Spain and Germany began to make others think that perhaps the English league is not the greatest.
However, for arguments sake, if the Premier League does field the majority of the worlds best players then it certainly fails to field the best teams. Bilbao not to long ago embarrassed Man Utd with a team of virtual unknowns most of whom were 23 and under. Ajax, a team who has it's star players poached regularly upstarted Man City. Why does this happen?
To improve the quality of team you need regular players coming through the ranks of the team from youth level. Similar coaching for the players. I've been watching a lot of football over the last few weekends and the quality is actually rather poor. Passing seems laboured and often reluctant in many of the 'big' teams.
Coaching at a junior level needs to be drastically improved by increasing the number of coaches and altering the style of coaching from physicality to technicality and mentality. When you think about Messi you don't think of him as a good player because of his speed (even though he is very quick) but because of his ball control and his ability to create chances and convert chances. His speed is a bonus. Why is Walcott good? Because he is fast, his ability as a football player goes little beyond that bar a few fluke moments.
I think that slowly, the Premier League should increase the number of players that have to be English to be named in a squad. Maybe one or two more every year. Eventually you might see 15 players named in the 25 man squad as eligible to play for England. I know in many cases this will mean foreign players like Suso or Borini being named as they are home grown technically. But it's a start.
I was talking to my friend today about English players that had quality but have been snuffed out by money wielding clubs. Shaun Wright-Phillips for example had a fantastic shot, was lightening quick and technically gifted. A big player for Man City once upon a time but was replaced as soon as some money came in. Now I fear for the likes of Rodwell, Sinclair and Richards. even lescott is being demoted.
Anybody agree or disagree with what I'm saying. I'd be keen to hear solutions to this 'problem' and other examples of English players that have possibly lost a chance to reach potential due to being knocked down the pecking order.
English Players Quota
posted on 12/9/13
All very interesting points! I think it's a mix of it all. If the current big Englisdh stars are being praised on the likes of MOTD for passing it out of danger, a good attacking movement etc rather than celebrating how Terry can throw himself in front of a shot (which was pretty cool tbf) or how Rooney (our top forward) gets back and executes a slide tackle kids aren't going to want to stand there and one touch it round a team. I only play football casually every now and again but the satisfaction I get from being involved in an intricate pass and move play that results in a goal or even a close chance is the best feeling in football, for me.
I play with a very mixed age group, some men are 50 who play (yes, it's that casual) but you can see the long ball tactics ingrained in them. There is almost a look of confusion when you run within 10 yards of them looking for the pass to feet.
This needs to change. When current stars are playing like their continental counterparts then English kids will want to too I agree. Coaching needs to be specialized and patient. Needs to praise the pass and encourage the bold moves.
The idea of home grown players playing for their local team in the prem is very attractive but is it ever going to be realistic? I don't know. Little steps is key but they have to be working towards encouraging technique in players. As I think Shankly said if God had intended football to be played in the air, their would be grass up there. (Sorry, if that wasn't Shankly and it's not exactly to quote but you can appreciate the point at least haha)
posted on 12/9/13
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posted on 12/9/13
Thank you
posted on 12/9/13
I have my doubts as to the desire of kids in this country to play sports, many I see today are overweight whimps who are more interested in playing FIFA than actually playing the game. People talk about kids being brought from abroad to full the academies but overall if the talent was there outside their door, clubs would look closer to home. We literally are at an all time low for home grown talent in this country and it has very little to so with foreign players being here at the moment IMO.
posted on 12/9/13
I don't buy into the cultural argument, that we can never be good cos our kids play playstation.. I don't know but i'm pretty sure they have the same distractions in Spain, Germany etc.
The key is nurturing the kids with talent and passion.. I think most people now (even the FA ) have realised the vicious circle we're in.
The decline in English talent should've been addressed years ago.. the last decent chance we had of winning something was probably Euro 96. Gazza, for all his faults, lived for football and was distraught when dropped by Hoddle.. I can't imagine any of the current squad being bothered if they're left at home.. It's broken from top to bottom.
posted on 12/9/13
I do reckon we're in for a revelation in the coaching system such as the Germans to blow everyone else out of the water
posted on 13/9/13
I hearby nominate the people on this thread to form the new council for the development of football in Britain.
posted on 13/9/13
Chembers,
I disagree with your assessment of pitch size. In fact I think it is the opposite problem.
All of the youth teams in my local area started playing on a full pitch from the age of 12. This is a huge jump and the new distances are large. The advantage then goes firmly to those kids who are bigger/faster/stronger or who have developed earlier.
This leads to the good old hoof it forward and let our big quick centre forward outpace their defence and be clean through. This leads to coaches picking those types of players and possibly helps explain the appreciation we have, as a nation, for the 'explosive' box to box type of player.
The downside is that kids don't develop the ball control, skill set and similar attributes that you see in Spanish or Brazilian players. This means our kids struggle in an environment where they have to play quick one touch passing in tight quarters.
In Brazil for example, the kids only play 5 or 7 a side until well into their teens, so that they can develop their ball control and don't resort to the tactic of hoof it out.
posted on 13/9/13
this is rather simple
spain are fascists and racist. look at their coaches. they openly call their own guys gypsys and as for what they do to balck players!!!
the germans are staunchly patriotic but also don't pay people to come in.
in short the english clubs are unpatriotic and out for any gain they can get so all and sundry come in.
spain = us and no-one else types and the germans won't by policy take in foreign players....
its not technical stuff on its own... it is attitude. go look at lfc academy. it is flooed with kids from the artic circle down to southern europe. its ridiculous.
posted on 13/9/13
Classic