Source: Team_Talk
Coates' quota hope for England
Stoke chairman Peter Coates believes the large amount of overseas players in English football has hampered the national team.[LNB] The impact of the top flight's foreign influx on domestic talent has come under scrutiny again after England's poor showing at the World Cup in South Africa and Premier League clubs have already agreed to a new initiative that will limit the number of overseas players on their books.[LNB]From next season, clubs will name 25-man squads with at least eight players who are home-grown - trained for three years under the age of 21 in England or Wales - something Coates feels is an important step in the right direction.[LNB]"I have always thought it was a problem," Coates told the Sentinel.[LNB]"It reminds me of cricket where there were so many overseas players that the sport took steps to change it.[LNB]"That is being addressed in football with the new quota system which will improve things - and most of Europe is signing up to that UEFA initiative.[LNB]"The Premier League is enormously successful and part of that is because it has star players from around the world.[LNB]"We want that to continue, but also want English football to be successful."[LNB]After they struggled through the group stage, England's disappointing World Cup came to a humiliating end on Sunday with a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany and Coates thinks the players showed a lack of hunger.[LNB]He said: "Supporters want players giving everything they have got, just as they want to see for their club sides.[LNB]"Players make mistakes and things go wrong, but if they are giving their best you accept that.[LNB]"I didn't feel we had the appetite and attitude you would want to see. We didn't seem to be energised enough."[LNB]The idea of a mid-season break in England has been frequently raised, but Coates is unsure how beneficial it would be for the national side.[LNB]"I am not saying I am right, but it doesn't appeal to me," Coates said.[LNB]"We would have to make the season longer and I question how much difference the break would make."[LNB]Fabio Capello will discover in two weeks' time whether he is to retain his position as England head coach and Coates refused to be drawn on whether the Italian should be sacked.[LNB]He said: "I can only say what has already been said. The FA will take their time to decide, but no decision has been made."[LNB]
