Why is it that despite the fact that only around one in three players in the English Premier League are actually English, only ex-Derby player Tyrone Mears, among English players, earns his living in continental Europe. The twenty-five year old right back is on loan at Marseille but has yet to make a first team appearance.
In January, David Beckham may get the odd run-out for Milan which will make it two, but that is still a remarkably small figure.
There are three reasons that I can think of. Firstly, the wages in the Premier League are incredibly good, even for reserve team players and bench warmers. Why would they want to move? Secondly, England is the only country in the world that has four professional divisions, five including the Blue Square Premier League. The part-time money earned by players below that level can be pretty good as well. In other words, there are lots of chances to be a professional footballer in England without playing in the Premier League or looking abroad.
The third possible reason is the most concerning. Is it just possible that English players are less technically gifted than those from continental Europe? If this is the case, and I think it is, then this is entirely down to the coaching and competitive nature of the youth game in England.
Glenn Hoddle has opened an academy in Spain, looking to get young players released by English clubs, properly coached and to look for contracts with clubs in Europe. He certainly thinks that we’ve got it wrong in England.
About his academy he told the BBC,
“This is about developing players. It is not about academies or reserve team football where we have to win matches to be successful. We have played Seville and Real Betis and a lot of our players have said they aspire to play in Europe. A lot are quite small, but very technical. We have got three or four very technical players who would suit Spanish, Italian or Dutch football and it’s opening their minds towards playing abroad. This is a stepping stone for them in a different culture and climate and we are almost setting them up to have that option, they are learning languages and putting things in place. They are improving astonishingly and I hope they continue to improve. Slowly but surely we will get some players back into the game.”
Hoddle told the BBC that English coaches are looking for the wrong things,
“I think it goes down to eight, nine and 10-year-olds. Frankly, I don’t think players in England play with their heads up as they do abroad. Continental players see a picture quicker than English players and if have that and you have better technique, then you are going to have an advantage. At those young ages, where they are like sponges and can take things in, I don’t think we coach enough, teaching them to play with your head up so they can do the next thing. My experience of coaching in England is that in many cases the first thought is of how tall and strong players are and whether they can get box-to-box. If that is the priority, the smaller players with better techniques can get left aside and that’s a conundrum we find ourselves with.”
Fascinating stuff and although Glenn Hoddle lost the England job under a bit of a cloud, I am astonished that we haven’t found another role for him in the game. He was a fine player and a gifted coach. We should listen to what he has to say. About football, that is!
(Source – BBC)
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