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ENGLAND'S NOT DREAMING 11-9-07
Rob Dixon
Trevor Brooking's words last week on the future of English football have stirred many comments, both supportive and critical.
His feelings seem to be that the current academy set-up in this country may be doomed to fail and could make our national team an embarrassment. Plus, his concern that foreign players are inhibiting the development of our own young players even got a response from one Steve Gibson.
Clearly, people worry a lot about the future of our national side.
Some of the worry stems from the concept that young English players need to experience (and cope with) the top level of club football to be accepted as international-class players. However, critics say this isn't happening as smaller clubs are pricing big clubs out of a move for their best players. This in turn is forcing the big clubs to visit foreign shores for inexpensive young talent.
Still with me? Good.
Well I think that view on the English game is completely narrow-minded. Why do players need to play Champions League football to succeed in international football? I don't see the current Northern Ireland squad packed with European stars. Also, how many of the players in the Greece Euro 2004 squad have regularly played in club football's 'premier competition'? You can count them on one hand.
Next, what is the problem with smaller clubs wanting to keep their most promising English players? For the most part, they had a hand in their development, so they deserve to. Also, how are clubs meant to challenge the 'big four' if they sell their best talent to them?
Maybe bigwigs and sports journalists just want the status quo maintained. This writer is sure there would be a lot of sleepless nights for the aforementioned if a 'small team' (think Villa, Everton or. even Boro!) mounted a serious challenge to the usual suspects for the title in a few years time.
Of course, a lot of our favourite writers from the southern-based press would hate to see their beloved Arsenal and Spurs hanging around mid-table positions while so-called 'lesser' teams sit above. Idiots.
On the other hand, is it again unfair if clubs attempt to gain the highest price possible for their best talent? In some cases, isn't that the idea? Think Rooney at Everton, think Morrison for Boro.
These players were essentially signed for free, while their clubs have spent time attempting to get the best out of them in preparation for a career in football. They deserve ample reward for their efforts, and surely the money made in profit can be used to improve the academies that produced them.
What I am getting at is would it be so bad if the crux of our national team in five years time came from the likes of Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Manchester City?
Downing, Wheater, Taylor, Adam Johnson, Ashley Young, Moore, Agbonlahor and Onouha, Michael Johnson and Richards have already proved themselves to be worthy of call-ups at national and U-21 level this season. Add to that the fact that the likes of Carson, Foster, Rooney, Walcott and Lennon all have their best years ahead, then where is the crisis?
It can be argued that Brooking and co are looking further ahead than the next five years. That may be true, but I'm pretty certain five years ago that the same kinds of people were talking down the quality of England's academies. Well, they've come through once again with a generation that has the potential to become better than the current one.
Look at the pace that would be available when those players peak. There's also plenty of set-piece aerial threat in the shape of Richards and Wheater. It pains me to say it, but Steven Taylor is also looking good for the future too). The two goalkeepers mentioned are also currently two of the best shot-stoppers in the Premiership - and they're both currently under 25.
I'm not saying that academies don't need to be improved, as of course any improvements will only strengthen and benefit their output. However, what I am saying is the quality of players they've produced when they are supposed to be operating below-par looks pretty impressive to me.
How good would it also be to see the above players stick with their respective clubs and ignore the lure of a lucrative bench-warming role at Chelsea or United? It would certainly make for a far more interesting Premiership title race.
Maybe the FA should spend less time declaring the end of British football and more time trying to get the prawn sandwich brigade into their seats for the second half of England internationals at Wembley. That's far more embarrassing than the future of our national side to me.
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