A minimum number of Englishmen ??

[coombsie]

I think it is a virtual certainty that within a couple of years at most, the FA will bring in a rule regarding a MINIMUM number of English players in a Squad or maybe starting 11. It is clear (from the abject England Euros campaign) that not enough English talent is finding its way to the top of our game and I for one would favour a rule of this type. The authorities will not be able to completely restrict the movement of European Nationals, but a rule of 2, 3 or maybe 4 English born players would be a start.

When you look at our squad, we have Bridge, Lampard, Cole, Terry, Sinclair, Sidwell & Wright Phillips. Roughly the same as Man Ure and a good deal more than The Arse and the Scum from Scouse land.

We need to retain ALL of the above and add players like Micah Richards, Kenwyn Jones and (ducks) Wayne Rooney.

This issue will not go away, the pressure will grow (with every England co*k up) and it will become the norm.

I think we should prepare now. Not by signing every 13,14,15, 16 and 17 yr old Brazilian, Argentinian, Mexican, Spaniard etc etc but by sorting out our Academy with young BRITISH talent.

Sorry for the rant. Its just something that I feel will become a bigger and bigger issue over the coming months and years. Best be prepared !!! On the upside looks like Arsenal will be fu**ed if this does become reality, whatever would Wenger do??

[loz]

Coombsie

I actually think the opposite, that it is virtually a certainty that it will never happen. Not for lack of want on the part of UEFA or the local football associations but because legislation above and beyond the remit of football will throw it out.

[coombsie]

Loz, I know what you are getting at.

Brussels will ensure that there is ALWAYS free movement between European Nations for all Europeans.

This would NOT be affected.

I believe that it would work along the lines of, As long as you have AT LEAST 2,3,4 or more ENGLISH lads, the rest of your 24 man (or in Spuds case 52 man) squad or named 16, can be made up of any Nationalities you wish. Chelsea already comply (just about)

Or is it the signing of Brits against the Brazilians, Argies etc that you don't think would work?

[loz]

Aargh sorry Coombsie I missed the fact that you were saying a minimum number of English players in the squad rather than restricting the number of non English members. I suppose the obvious problem there would be say the minimum was set at 16 and a team has 16 exactly. What if one wants to leave? I guess they couldn't be sold until they are replaced by another English player (although of course that could encourage promoting a youngster into the first team). I suppose the danger therefore is that players are promoted into the first team squad purely on the grounds of their nationality rather than talent and once there they will struggle against much better players and fight their careers stagnating.

[coombsie]

Upon reviewing this subject on the net, it seems that Sir Red nose, Harry Redknapp, Mark Hughes and Steve Coppell all speak positively about this type of scheme. As you might expect Wenger is totally anti !!!!!

[g3.7]

no- wouldn't want it... more english players doesn't necessarily mean a better national team.

would this debate be about if mcclaren was better than useless?

what I would like to see is 7 subs, with a minimum of 2 to be home grown players aged, say, 21 or under.

[JT26CFC]

i'm totally against this proposition by Fifa. Just because the some of the english players can't play well in the top flight in England, doesn't mean that all the teams should have to suffer. Who would I rather watch, Joey Barton or Kaka ? The Premier League is the most competitive league and by lowering the play level so that Enlgand will be able to "qualify" for the next Euro campaign No other league in the world has this problem, literally. Italy, Brazil, Spain, France, etc. Each country have a fair ratio of players from the country to foreign players. But some manaers and players are calling for this to happen. Fergusen, Copell, and Gerrard are some who want this to happen......but who cares what they think!

[geezer]

no- wouldn't want it... more english players doesn't necessarily mean a better national team.

would this debate be about if mcclaren was better than useless?

what I would like to see is 7 subs, with a minimum of 2 to be home grown players aged, say, 21 or under.

Italy didn't do bad in the last world cup and they apply a minimum. I would actually like to see a minimum quota but only of 4 or 5 named on a team sheet (that'll stuff the scouse/arse contingent).

Totally agree with the 7 sub rule change as I see this as a great way to bring on youngsters as they are far more liekly to get some pitch time near the end of games which are pretty much won. There would be no need to send the likes of Ben Sahar or Scott Sinclair on loan then. Take the Man City game as an example - both could have got 30 minutes each in that game (probably would have won 8-0 then!!).

[g3.7]

do they apply a minimum in italy? I didn't think that they still do (though they used to- the reason vieira left milan random fact fans)...

better coaching will produce better english players. it starts at the grass roots.

p.s. italy had lippi... whereas we, um, don't.

[The Moos]

I think this will happen. UEFA has already started by adding the rule that any team competing in the Champions League has to have atleast 4 homegrown players in their 25-men squad.

In my oppinion this is something good. Force teams to use players from the same country. I'm not english but I feel sickened when I see english teams play with 11 men - not one from England. Some doesn't even have some on the bench.

Just look at Arsenal. As if we needed more reasons to hate them.

[JT26CFC]

well if it were to cripple Liverpool and Arsenal, then i guess i could live with it. But it depends on how many players uefa make neccesary to be on the team. 5-6 is good, but if it's 8-10 idk about that.

[icecoolguy22]

I say bring it on, lets say 5 English players in the team in all domestic matches. I would love to see the team Arsenal and Liverpool put out.

[Sofa Manager]

Gordon (G4) is absolutely spot on.

MORE English player doesn't equal BETTER English players, wich doesn't mean I'm against the notion of more "homegrown" players.

Look at other countries with smaller populations and teams/leagues with (much) smaller budgets.

Doesn't Holland have hundreds of foreign players on their league ? Spain ? Portugal ? Italy ?

And how do these National team perform ?

Again, it's not a question of quantity, rather quality, and it all starts on the formation.

Perhaps...perhaps...the fact that there's so much money in the PL makes a few teams simply neglect the formation ?

Why bother develop players if you can simply pick them ready or almost ready for the top flight ?

It's still not liquid to say that more economically develop countries and richer leagues make for better National teams. Thank God for that or the EUROS and the WC's would be a Champions League Mark II.

[JT26CFC]

[iframe:1stu9klu]http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article465090.ece[/iframe:1stu9klu]

uummm.....did he even look at his own squad?

[coombsie]

That's it then I changed my mind !!!!!

If Stevie (Judas Turncoat Spineless Scouse Scum) G wants it, it MUST be a bad idea

[SydneyChelsea]

No offense, but what is the point of having a large quantity of English players as opposed to a small number of quality English players? It only hurts the clubs as they have to pay more money for mediocre talent.

If the FA and clubs worked harder on developing local talent- all clubs academy programs are still overwhelmingly English- by perhaps adopting some of the technical strategies from overseas, you would see results.

[BLUENUT]

Every time England fail to qualify, or are on the verge of not qualifying for a major trophy the FA and media trot out the old 'too many foreigeners' line. They forget they appointed a manager who wasn't good enough, or our results in qualification, no its all down to the foreigners!!

For me there are a couple of reason we have inferior players coming through, compared to other countries.

1. Is the financial support at lower levels supplied by the FA. How many FA sponsered coaching acadamies are in you area (serious question - how many? do you know where one is?) The FA have just signed a deal worth £263m, how much will go into coaching youngsters at school level? None, it's all for their back pockets!

2, Is the social aspect in this country.

*Playing fields are being snapped up and having houses built on them

*Kids sit at home on computers rather than playing football out with friends, it's easier for parents to keep an eye on them.

*Not enough people willing to take time out to coach kids - too much political correctness envolved

*Drink, drug and hoodie culture sweeping our urban area's, these kids just don't play football, they'd rather nick a mo-ped.

In a few years the major European league will be over-run with Africans and South Americans, they're the only nations who have youngsters who still play the game.

[Sofa Manager]

Every time England fail to qualify, or are on the verge of not qualifying for a major trophy the FA and media trot out the old 'too many foreigeners' line. They forget they appointed a manager who wasn't good enough, or our results in qualification, no its all down to the foreigners!!

(...)

In a few years the major European league will be over-run with Africans and South Americans, they're the only nations who have youngsters who still play the game.

I won't comment on the reasons you wrote, because - not living in England - I'm not habilitated to do so, however, the McFillet is right IMO.

On the over-run issue...spot on, but it won't happen in "a few years", it's happening as we post.

[BLUENUT]

it's happening as we post

I know, but will continue to go in this direction.

Interesting question I was asked recently:

How many English players played (across all the clubs) in the last round of the Champions League? 13

How many South Americans? 52

[JT26CFC]

i read in a magazine that there's about somewhere around 330 forgiegn players playing in England and about 150 in Italy. But i don't remember the exact numbers, didn't feel like spending $8 for a magazine.

[Kev123]

i read in a magazine that there's about somewhere around 330 forgiegn players playing in England and about 150 in Italy. But i don't remember the exact numbers, didn't feel like spending $8 for a magazine.

So grab it and read while u run, if they catch u hopefully u have finished halfway

[JT26CFC]

i read in a magazine that there's about somewhere around 330 forgiegn players playing in England and about 150 in Italy. But i don't remember the exact numbers, didn't feel like spending $8 for a magazine.

So grab it and read while u run, if they catch u hopefully u have finished halfway

what do you think i'm from liverpool or something

[Kev123]

i read in a magazine that there's about somewhere around 330 forgiegn players playing in England and about 150 in Italy. But i don't remember the exact numbers, didn't feel like spending $8 for a magazine.

So grab it and read while u run, if they catch u hopefully u have finished halfway

what do you think i'm from liverpool or something

YES

[Lofty]

God these bloody Scousers get everywhere. Even when they're not actually here they're ...

But anyway. To get back to the question. I think Scotland are a good case in point. Sorry I don't know the exact details, but from what I gather, after years of their international team being quite frankly, embarrassingly pathetic, the Scots had a major rethink about training at grass-roots level and are now reaping the benefit. Players who might never have been heard of are now playing regularly in the Scottish Premier League and Scotland now have an at least half-decent side.

[JT26CFC]

ouch kev, that was low