Source: Daily_Mail
WORLD CUP 2010: Premier League's foreign legion are harming England, claims Spanish football chief
The president of Spain's Primera Liga claims English football is suffering as a consequence of Barclays Premier League clubs' over-reliance on foreign talent. [LNB]The fallout from England's dismal World Cup campaign has led to scrutiny of the national game at its grass roots, with concerns over the limited first-team opportunities afforded English players in the top flight held up as a key issue. [LNB] Jose Luis Astiazaran, head of Spain's Liga Nacional de Futbol Profesional, is critical of the English model, which has led to around 40 per cent English representation in the Premier League, a figure almost half that experienced in Spain's top league. [LNB] Minority: English players make up only around 40 per cent of the Premier League[LNB]Spain, the reigning European champions, will contest Sunday's World Cup final against Holland, and Astiazaran believes his country is reaping the rewards of a system that encourages the development of home-grown talent. [LNB]'In La Liga there are 77.1 per cent Spanish players, 16.7 per cent European and 6.7 per cent non-European,' Astiazaran said. [LNB]'Our strategy is to work very hard with young home-grown players and to try to have a mix between them and experienced players. [LNB]'Why is it not a high number of foreign players in La Liga? Because we invest more and more in young Spanish players than in young foreign players. [LNB] Shining example: Spain's superb team have reached the World Cup final[LNB]'England has many times taken young players from outside who are 14, 16 years old. These kind of players are not English. This is one of the most important differences between Spain and England. We invest in young Spanish players. [LNB]'In Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United there are a lot of young Spanish, French and Italian players - maybe this is why at the moment you are not creating young English players.'[LNB]Meanwhile, the former boss of youth development at the Premier League claims an overhaul of the system is needed if England are to challenge on the world stage. [LNB]Huw Jennings is critical of the current youth system, which is presided over by three bodies - the Premier League, the Football League and the Football Association. [LNB] Imports: Arsenal regularly field sides with no English players involved[LNB]He has called for an independent, single entity to assume responsibility for player development. [LNB]'In football regulation, three is a crowd,' Jennings, who is now academy director at Fulham, said. 'We need to take youth development away from the three organisations. Of course the FA and the Premier League should be represented but if you appoint separate governance you have a better chance of making progress. [LNB]'At the moment we haven't got the concerted campaign and joined up thinking to make the radical change that is needed. [LNB] 'Let's get rid of the difficulties, differences and politics and have one single body for the governance of youth development with the power to license and reward.'[LNB] Holland legend Johan Cruyff confesses: I'm supporting Spain!Beat Spain? It's hard enough to get the ball back, say GermansJeff Powell: Why are you on the beach, Fabio? Go back to Africa and learn something!Xavi: Spain ready to teach Holland a lesson in football in World Cup final [LNB]
