Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham boss McLeish reveals his fears for the future of English football
Alex McLeish admits the lack of home-grown players on duty in this week's Portsmouth-Arsenal clash is 'worrying' for the future of English football. [LNB]But the Birmingham boss defended the right of managers to be able to pick players of any nationality at first-team level. [LNB]Arsenal won 4-1 at Fratton Park on Wednesday evening to bolster their push for the Barclays Premier League title but there was not a single English-qualified player in the starting line-up of either side. [LNB] Foreign legion: There was not a single English-qualified player in the starting line-up of either side in the clash between Portsmouth and Arsenal [LNB] And there have been other examples of matches where the number ofplayers available to England head coach Fabio Capello has beenminimal. [LNB]Worried: Birmingham boss Alex McLeish [LNB]Former Scotland boss McLeish said: 'At the end of the day, it is a worry for English football. [LNB]'But, when you are the coach of a professional team, you should be able to play the players of your choice at the top level. [LNB]'If it is top-level sport, you should be allowed to play who you want to play. There is no getting away from that. [LNB]'It is difficult to say 'you can't play someone ahead of an Englishplayer', but it is worrying in terms of the development of the Englishgame. [LNB]'However, when I look at the England national team and the resourcesthey have, it is frighteningly good. "They are one of the favouritesto win the World Cup next summer.' [LNB] Portsmouth 1 Arsenal 4: Eduardo's stroke of luck sparks top GunnersAllardyce bemoans shrinking English talent pool and warns of bleak futureHart stopper: Man City put the brakes on Birmingham bid for on loan keeperALL THE BRIMINGHAM CITY FC
