he proclaimed<\/a>: \u2018I would like to have English players, believe me, but they are so expensive\u2019. This reply was problematic. Take Michael Keane for example, whom Burnley bought for just \u00a32 million. He has just received his first England cap and is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the league.<\/p>\nOthers say that English players simply are not good enough, and this is perhaps hard to deny. The\u00a0falling number \u2013 and quality \u2013 of English players in the Premier League directly correlates with the declining number of British managers. The many foreign managers, Guardiola included, feel no\u00a0need to field English players, because they are not concerned with the growth and development of the national team. J\u00fcrgen Klopp or Antonio Conte\u00a0can hardly be expected to care about whether England beat Lithuania and Iceland.<\/p>\n
Managers want the players who will get them results, regardless of nationality. This includes English managers, but since they have an affiliation with their own nation, they\u00a0will want to do all they can to help English footballers, especially having been in this situation themselves. The same can be said for foreign managers; they will want the best for footballers in their own countries.<\/p>\n
Part of the reason England are currently slipping down the FIFA world rankings is because the players are not getting a chance at the top level. It is no coincidence that fewer and fewer \u2018home-grown\u2019 players are coming through the ranks in the Premier League. The players are not getting a chance because their managers are not so interested in them, or at least do not prioritise them.<\/p>\n
In Sunderland\u2019s 2-0 Premier League loss to Manchester City on 5th<\/sup> March, David Moyes included five English players in his eighteen, with a total of eight Brits. Guardiola, on the other hand, fielded just three Brits in his eighteen.<\/p>\nIt is not just the \u2018top\u2019 teams that are missing English players. Take Watford, with their Italian manager, Walter Mazarri. In their 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth back in January, they fielded just two English players in their starting eleven. Bournemouth, with the English Eddie Howe in charge, fielded eight English players in their starting eleven. Eddie Howe sympathises with and prefers players from his own country, and it will be managers like him who contribute to the growth of the national side.<\/p>\n
Foreigners often thrive in England. The problem ultimately arises from foreign ownership. A foreign owner wants the best manager, not the \u2018local hero\u2019 manager. Undeniably this can often have wonderful effects on the Premier League \u2013 take the sacking of Nigel Pearson at Leicester and the subsequent appointment of Claudio Ranieri.<\/p>\n
The Premier League needs the best players and the best managers, regardless of nationality. Foreign owners are vital in delivering this. Therefore this issue of English players is not harming the quality of football in the Premier League, but it is having negative effects on the quality of the national team. Gareth Southgate needs it to change, but sadly for him the Premier League does not need change.<\/p>\n
It seems the declining national side is quite a large sacrifice to pay for the rise in quality in the Premier League, and the vital global interest and funds that follows from this. After all, the Premier League would be nowhere without foreign players.<\/p>\n
Main Photo<\/p>\n