[RMCF]

I know I do.

I appreciate that it might not stand up to any labour laws but I think it would allow a better spread of talent around the teams in all the leagues.

Lets hope FIFA/UEFA get their way.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...pe/7421348.stm

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by RMCF

I know I do.

I appreciate that it might not stand up to any labour laws but I think it would allow a better spread of talent around the teams in all the leagues.

Lets hope FIFA/UEFA get their way.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...pe/7421348.stm

Would love to see this come in, but according to freedom to work some stupid European rule it will be an illegal ruling.

About the only ever descent idea Sepp Blatter come up with.

[huwg]

These figures sum it up

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7417746.stm

[lostinspace]

I'd like to see a maximum of 3 foreign players on the field at any one time. The club could employ as many overseas players as they like, but the rules of the game wuld mean that no more than 3 could be on the field at once.

I'd also like to see only home based players eligible to represent their country in internationals.

[Miyazaki]

Wenger is almost single handedly destroying the English game.

On average 0 players started for him last season.

I think the major problem is foreign managers of English clubs.

Most of the British managers have lots of English players in their teams.

Obviously this is not helped with foreign chairmen in control of English teams either.

I think this all boils down to being $ky's fault and the amount of tv money they pay the clubs which makes them viable targets for takeovers by foreigners, who then appoint foreign managers etc.............

[overkill]

Sounds great. But if it was to happen we would also have to introduce a wage cap. Is that going to happen? I think not.

One of the main reasons we have so few English players in the EPL is because they are too flaming greedy. Why take one of them at £30,000 a week when a young African, or Spaniard come to that, can play just as well or better for £10,000 - £15,000 a week less?

We moan about the lack of English players here, but look how few are playing in the rest of Europe? Why is that? Because they aren't good enough? Or is it because they want more than anyone else?

Or both.

Do we really want the clubs getting even further up the debt alley and/or season ticket prices storming new heights so we can field 8 Englishmen?

Bear in mind I too would love to see a ceiling of between 3 -4 overseas players max in the side on any given Saturday (sorry, Matchday) but it's not going to happen without some restraint being shown by the players.

Or a lot of clubs going bust....................

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by Games Guru

Wenger is almost single handedly destroying the English game.

Wasn't it Chel$ki who did that? First team to ever field a full foreigner 11 players.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

Wasn't it Chel$ki who did that? First team to ever field a full foreigner 11 players.

Actually, if you count anyone who isn't English, it was Liverpool in 1986'.

Agree Eddy. I cannot see the point of clubs being forced to play 8 mediocre, overpaid English players just to satisfy the flag wavers. If I really thought, even for a second we might produce a decent English team out of it, I would think twice, but we won't.

What makes me laugh, is that even when we had a minimal number of overseas players in the old First division, England were still dire.

So what's new?

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by overkill

Actually, if you count anyone who isn't English, it was Liverpool in 1986'.

Well i wasn't but thanks for pointing that out Neil.

"On the 26th December 1999 Chelsea were the first team to field an entirely foreign starting line-up, on the 14th February 2005 Arsenal were the first club to announce a completely foreign 16 man squad for a match.

[Eddy.]

Originally Posted by overkill

Actually, if you count anyone who isn't English, it was Liverpool in 1986'.

Agree Eddy. I cannot see the point of clubs being forced to play 8 mediocre, overpaid English players just to satisfy the flag wavers. If I really thought, even for a second we might produce a decent English team out of it, I would think twice, but we won't.

What makes me laugh, is that even when we had a minimal number of overseas players in the old First division, England were still dire.

So what's new?

Honestly, what was the last good English team you can think of? I honestly don't think we've had a really good team since Euro 96, 12 years ago.

Its not Wenger's fault, its just a massive decline in English talent full stop.

It doesn't help with the media spinning things and putting pressure on new young players that emerge. The hype over Rooney in particular is pretty sickening.

The only genuinely world class player in the England squad nowadays is Stevie Gerrard.

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by Eddy.

Honestly, what was the last good English team you can think of? I honestly don't think we've had a really good team since Euro 96, 12 years ago.

Its not Wenger's fault, its just a massive decline of English talent full stop.

Disagree with the English talent, just think no one has ever had or been good enought to make the England team into World Beaters. We have some of the best players in the world but we've never of late had a good enough manager to handle them. Each manager thinks playing his best 11 player will win him games, no matter if it means 5 players playing out of position.

I for one don't blame Wenger as he brought some of the best player ever to be seen to the EPL. Still hate the **** though.

The only genuinely world class player in the England squad nowadays is Stevie Gerrard.

Come on im not having that.

[WildeKarde]

The issue with the English players is they cost too much to buy in for most teams. The proverbial 18yr old player seen to be a future star rated at £10m - this means only the biggest clubs can buy them and unless they hit the ground running or get a break into the first team they are likely to be a sub or reserve player for a while.

If clubs were restricted to only spending (transfer fees or better still wages offered) based on their crowds then the potential star players would get into teams willing to use them.

If the English league restricted it to 3 foreign players in a team how many of you would be happy at the reduction in European success. Maybe even no more European trophies or finals. I don't think Europe would follow restriction on players.

How would Man Utd have got on if they could only play three foreign players - who would you choose? What about Chelsea?

Would all the England team play for 4 or 5 clubs only?

[thfccambs]

Originally Posted by WildeKarde

How would Man Utd have got on if they could only play three foreign players - who would you choose?

Wasn't to many years ago that this had a big effect on Man Utd in the European cup, you could only play so many foreigners.

[Eddy.]

Originally Posted by hunts1uk

We have some of the best players in the world but we've never of late had a good enough manager to handle them. Each manager thinks playing his best 11 player will win him games, no matter if it means 5 players playing out of position.

Totally agree on this, I forgot to mention the manager situation. Its been pretty grim for many years now. I for one liked Sven, but think he operated with more of a club team philosophy and never really managed to adapt to the national team situation.

I think Capello can make a difference, but he will need a few years to make things right.

Come on im not having that.

Why not. Its true.

Please don't mention Rooney. People criticized Adebayor for taking too many attempts to score but he has nothing on Rooney who needs about 10 shots at least before he finally scores. Capello hit the nail on the head with his assessment of him....he's a scorer of great goals but not a great goalscorer.

I think Walcott, from what I've seen of him playing for the Goons has great potential but needs a little more time to mature. Micah Richards and Gareth Barry are developing nicely too. Terry is dependable at the back (when he's not playing in the rain....). Beckham needs to retire from international football and give Bentley time to shine.

[Sicknote10]

Originally Posted by overkill

But if it was to happen we would also have to introduce a wage cap. Is that going to happen? I think not.

Most clubs are introducing their own wage cap, based on a percentage of their turnover
They are trying to get it to below 50%, most clubs are close to this, Chelsea are a bit above it but even they are working towards getting it down to this figure

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by Eddy.

Honestly, what was the last good English team you can think of? I honestly don't think we've had a really good team since Euro 96, 12 years ago.

Its not Wenger's fault, its just a massive decline in English talent full stop.

It doesn't help with the media spinning things and putting pressure on new young players that emerge. The hype over Rooney in particular is pretty sickening.

The only genuinely world class player in the England squad nowadays is Stevie Gerrard.

Talking of idiotic comments!

People like Wenger aren't interested in nurturing English talent.

Take someone like O'Neill who sign English talent and bring them through the ranks. That's what managing is all about.

You have a responsibility as a manager int the top flight to set the example.

It's no good saying that there are no good English players. It's a self-fullfilling prophecy if you don't give them a chance.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by Sicknote10

Most clubs are introducing their own wage cap, based on a percentage of their turnover
They are trying to get it to below 50%, most clubs are close to this, Chelsea are a bit above it but even they are working towards getting it down to this figure

A wage cap is a figure set externally. A wage limit is club imposed. Arsenal have one, and have done since as long as I can remember.

A cap is set for all clubs, a limit is, as you have described it, an attempt to limit wages to a percentage of turnover.

However, on looking more closely at it, that's turnover including TV revenue and retail merchandise, not just gate receipts.

I seriously doubt any club if they had a quota of English players imposed on them, could meet any self imposed limits. The players demands are just too high.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by Games Guru

Talking of idiotic comments!

People like Wenger aren't interested in nurturing English talent.

Take someone like O'Neill who sign English talent and bring them through the ranks. That's what managing is all about.

You have a responsibility as a manager int the top flight to set the example.

It's no good saying that there are no good English players. It's a self-fullfilling prophecy if you don't give them a chance.

Arsene Wenger isn't interested in nurturing home grown talent? Well, thanks for the heads up.

Question? Why should he be? He is there to bring success to Arsenal not worry about England's national team. That is the FA's job, not his.

Would MoN give a stuff about bringing through local talent if he had the sort of money Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea have at their disposal? Or the connections the big clubs have in SA and Africa?

Not a bit of it. He would have a team stuffed every bit as full of overseas players as the current leading clubs do now.

You have no such responsibility to anyone in top flight. There have been plenty of sides over the years, and long before the modern era, who had their teams stuffed, as I have said before, with Scots, Irishmen, and Welshmen. But because these were all 'British' the fact that the teams lacked English players was overlooked.

There aren't many decent English players - fact. We aren't producing them at academy level, as has been mentioned even by the players themselves, so why should the clubs be taking on players even at grass roots that aren't good enough to do what they need? That is to win silverware

I fail to see how people cannot understand such a simple premise? If there were a large number of quality English players out there, who weren't making unreasonable wage demands, do we not think the big four would snap them up?

Hmmm?

[Eddy.]

Originally Posted by Games Guru

People like Wenger aren't interested in nurturing English talent.

Theo Walcott

Jermaine Pennant

Francis Jeffers

Matthew Upson

David Bentley

Justin Hoyte

I could go on and on and on. To claim he doesn't try and nurture British talent is ridiculous.

None of those lot made the grade, apart from Walcott, because they flat out weren't good enough.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3019185.ece

This article sums it up perfectly. He doesn't buy good English players because they are too expensive, full stop.

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by overkill

Would MoN give a stuff about bringing through local talent if he had the sort of money Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea have at their disposal? Or the connections the big clubs have in SA and Africa?

Thats the whole point about the self-fulfilling prophecy and why the idea of limited foreigners probably needs to be imposed.

The sad thing about Arsenal is that they have had so many excellent English players in recent history like Merson, Adams, Seaman, etc, etc.

Arsenal do have a responsibility as an extremely successful English team to set an example for the rest of the game. It is an opportunity to prove that English players are as good as the rest, they just need the top class training and coaching Arsenal can provide.

If Fabregas, et al had spent their recent history at a lower league team in their respective countries then perhaps they wouldn't have become the talent they are today.

Well known English players do command a high price as they have built their reputations.

People like Barry, Agbonlahor, Ashley Young have come through the ranks, and have developed because people like O'Neill take the perceived gamble with the players.

Villa have plenty of money, but O'Neill chooses to build a team rather than buy one, and because of that Villa don't have the enormous debt of the big 4 (£1 billion in the red like Man U? No thanks!)

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by Eddy.

Theo Walcott

Jermaine Pennant

Francis Jeffers

Matthew Upson

David Bentley

Justin Hoyte

I could go on and on and on. To claim he doesn't try and nurture British talent is ridiculous.

None of those lot made the grade, apart from Walcott, because they flat out weren't good enough.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo...cle3019185.ece

This article sums it up perfectly. He doesn't buy good English players because they are too expensive, full stop.

How many games have those lads played in the first team for Arsenal this season? Selling on your wonderkids doesn't really equal nurturing talent in my book.

Look at the BBC link, on average in the 06/07 season Arsenal played ZERO
Englishmen.

Walcott was bought in, and has had at most a bit part in Arsenal's season.

Ashley Young was bought it, but has been integral in Villa's success this season.

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by Eddy.

This article sums it up perfectly. He doesn't buy good English players because they are too expensive, full stop.

Again, you are missing the point.

Buying in players isn't the same as recognising talent and nurturing it.

Wenger understandably favours young Frenchmen as he is French.

[Miyazaki]

Originally Posted by overkill

I fail to see how people cannot understand such a simple premise? If there were a large number of quality English players out there, who weren't making unreasonable wage demands, do we not think the big four would snap them up?

Hmmm?

Richard Stearman and Joe Mattock, amazing potential and hopefully Villa will be buying them from Leicester for a (relatively) unsubstantial sum.

There is plenty of talent out there if you are prepared to look and scour the lower leagues.

Fact is with big name European scouts, they can't see the wood for the trees and would rather sun in up looking in France, Italy or Spain.

[Miyazaki]

What challenge is there in managing a football club when you spend £50m -£100m on players every summer?

[Eddy.]

Originally Posted by Games Guru

Again, you are missing the point.

Buying in players isn't the same as recognising talent and nurturing it.

Wenger understandably favours young Frenchmen as he is French.

No, you are missing the point once again.

Wenger has tried to nurture English talent but they just. aren't. good. enough.

And how many young frenchman has Wenger nurtured exactly? Most of the French players he bought. Henry, Wiltord, Pires, Clichy, Vieira, Petit...all bought in their early to mid twenties.

Wenger has always said he judges players on their ability, not their passports, and thank god for that!

How many games have those lads played in the first team for Arsenal this season? Selling on your wonderkids doesn't really equal nurturing talent in my book.

They never had a long run because again, they weren't good enough. Why can't you understand this? You have some deluded belief that English players reign supreme and foreign players should be cast aside in favour of these English kids, when the fact of the matter is, foreign players 98% of the time are better than their English equivalents. And usually much cheaper and willing to play for a lower wage.

Its the reason Arsenal are top 4 and Villa are not.

[JustinJ004]

I think both Pennant and Bentley would have made it very clear they were good enough had Wenger given them the same amount of games on the right wing as a dire Eboue this season tbh.

[Marc]

i agree with the proposal but think it should be 'british' players, not english players as it's unfair to expect the more talented players to be stuck playing in the Scottish, Welsh or Irish leagues, otherwise let's go the whole hog and prevent Barcelona from picking more than 5 spanish players, because technically they're Catalan not spanish.. and let's stop Monaco picking more than 5 French players because they're not in france..

[The Dude]

What we need to do is put a salary cap in place at club level.... that would soon stop all the greedy overpaid foreigners coming in and ruining our 'best on earth' league with their overpaid, overhyped, and distinctly average performances.


No, hang on a minute....




I actually think the likes of Wenger have got the interests of British football at heart?
Keeping the Arsenal team free from greedy and average Englishmen might not be good for English footballers, but it's apparently quite good for English football.

If there were so many talented English youngsters lying around, and being forced out of the english game by Arsenal and Liverpool, they'd be getting snapped up on the cheap by continental clubs wouldn't they?

[kourosh]

I think the main problem is that clubs want success/money now,so rather gamble on youngsters they will buy talent from abroad.
You have to be one hell of talented youngster now to be play 1st team football at the big clubs.
I think we are likely to see more examples of David Bentley being released by a big club for not getting games and having to start again at a lower club and building there reputations back up.

[Nebby]

Bad idea.

Will do nothing to improve the quality of the national team.