Everton defender John Stones' rapid progress from Championship football with Barnsley to England international proves the lower leagues can produce top-class players, according to a man who was part of Costa Rica's World Cup success.
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore claimed the Football Association used the influx of foreign talent into the Premier League as an excuse for England's performances.
He stressed Costa Rica, who topped England's World Cup group which also included heavyweights Italy and Uruguay, had few players in the top leagues and suggested national team boss Roy Hodgson should start looking for players outside the top flight.
Neil Sillett, son of Coventry's 1987 FA Cup-winning manager John, scouted the Central American country's European-based players and opponents ahead of the Brazil tournament and believes there are plenty of examples to prove there is a route to the top for Championship players.
"John Stones came from Barnsley (for £3million) and it looks like he could be going for £31million," Sillett, referring to Chelsea's interest in the centre-back who made his England debut less than 18 months after moving to Everton, told Press Association Sport.
"He came from a smaller club and he is now an England player in the space of two years, it can be done.
"Charlie Austin played for the likes of Poole and Swindon. Rickie Lambert was at Stockport, Bristol Rovers - they are England players.
"Michael Turner went from Brentford to Hull, Danny Ings has gone for big money (to Liverpool from relegated Burnley).
"Leon Britton went through the leagues with Swansea, Ashley Williams did not start in the Premier league and now he's one of the top defenders.
"This spring I sent a boy who was playing for Petersfield Town to Stoke and he has signed for 18 months - there are players around at those levels."
Sillett, who runs his own sports management and development business, believes mindset plays a big part in allowing so-called "lesser" players to make the step up.
Having befriended former Derby striker Paulo Wanchope during his time on the Rams backroom staff, he was asked to help out when the Costa Rican took charge of Club Sport Uruguay in his homeland.
He became well-acquainted with Central and South American football and witnessed what desire can achieve.
"I spent a lot of time in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Panama, Costa Rica and if the boys are good they are playing in their first team at 17," he added.
"Take Luis Suarez - that sort of attitude and will to win is prevalent in those countries.
"Because of the competitive nature of academy recruitment the exposure to proper football between 16 and 20 is limited here and it is not over there and our boys are being paid thousands of times more than those boys.
"I didn't have to look far to find...I can't call them urchins but that 'Oliver'-type character to bring into the Uruguay squad in Costa Rica.
"They were halfway there because they were desperate to join something good and that hit me in the face because I don't see that at home."
Sillett later became involved in World Cup preparations when Wanchope became Costa Rica's assistant manager (he has since been promoted to the top job) and was staggered at the gulf in resources.
"They haven't got the finances and the facility they have in San Jose is decent but it is not out this world and nowhere near St George's," he said in reference to England's training base.
"I laughed when I heard the numbers of staff England took to the World Cup and the cost of the trip.
"Costa Rica had a team of 10 non-playing staff. It would have cost nothing - and they won the group. That says a lot."
Source: PA
