Dyke backed by Premier League clubs

12 September 2013 20:01

Premier League clubs have promised their backing for the Football Association commission which is to be set up to try to boost the number of England players.

The 20 club chairmen met new FA chairman Greg Dyke on Thursday to discuss the new body and it was agreed the clubs, the Premier League's board and leading officials would all contribute to the commission.

Premier League chairman Anthony Fry, said: "It is evident from discussions with the clubs that there is a strong desire to see greater numbers of England-qualified players coming through their academy systems that are capable of performing at both Premier League and international standard."

Dyke, who has set England the target of winning the 2022 World Cup, believes the influx of foreign players in the Premier League has denied home-grown prospects first-team opportunities, which has had a knock-on effect for the national side. The top-flight clubs have now affirmed their commitment to taking part in the process.

A statement said: "The Premier League clubs, board and executive will all contribute their expertise, knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges in regard to producing England-qualified talent who are of the requisite quality to play both at Premier League and international level."

Fry said the new youth development system - the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) - demonstrated the clubs' commitment.

He added: "There is no doubt around the Premier League table as to the benefits of a national set-up that is thriving and performing well.

"That is why the Premier League clubs, board and executive all signed up to contributing to the process of debate initiated by Greg and helping to identify any appropriate outcomes that will serve to improve standards and delivery in respect of player development."

Dyke was at the meeting with the clubs and said he welcomed the commitment to take part in the process.

The FA chairman said: "The intention of my speech regarding the development and progression of English players was to discover why there are fewer and fewer English players at the top level, and the point of any debate is to find solutions.

Source: PA