A date for those out there that love a pub quiz. The 22nd September 2018.. The day that both Arsenal and Chelsea Football Club fielded a starting 11 that didn't feature a single player born in England.
Some headline that, and the 'red tops' flogged it for all its worth. But it doesn't really tell the whole story when you start to really look into it. (I mean who actually checks these things).
Before we get into it we need to go back a few years and go over the rules set out by the FA, or to be more accurate, UEFA and the Premier League.
• Clubs have no obligation to put a certain number of homegrown players on the field of play, or on the match sheet. They are entirely free in their team and matchday squad selection.
• UEFA defines locally-trained or 'homegrown' players as those who, regardless of their nationality, have been trained by their club or by another club in the same national association for at least three years between the age of 15 and 21. Up to half of the locally-trained players must be from the club itself, with the others being either from the club itself or from other clubs in the same association.
• The UEFA rule contains no nationality conditions whatsoever because within the EU such conditions are illegal (following the Bosman ruling). The European Commission stated that the UEFA rule was legal in a statement in May 2008 and that a review would take place in 2012.
• Squads can contain no more than 17 players who do not fill the 'Home-Grown' Player criteria. The rest of the squad, up to a total of 25 players, must be made up of those who are Home-Grown.
Also…
Premier League rules state that:
'A "Home-Grown Player" means a player who, irrespective of nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to The Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons, or 36 months, before his 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21).'
Clubs can also name as many U21 players as they wish, as they are not included in the 25-man quota. Players must be born on or after 1 January 1997 to be eligible.
So… What do we make of that?
The term 'Home-grown' is where the problems begin, or as Premier League sides seem to consider it, a challenge.
To the common man, this term would, and in my opinion, should mean, born in England. But that's not the case. Any player that's played for 3 or more seasons in England before their 21st birthday ARE considered 'Home-grown'.
I'm not stupid, I realise why this 'loophole' was put in and for many, this is a great way for them to further their career and could see them hit the big time. Sadly, in most cases, it's not.
So, let's look at the top 6 leagues across Europe.
These are the current top 6 (as of 23rd September 2018)
This shows the team and how many players started the game that was born in the country in which they're playing. I've not taken age into account.
Premier League (England)
Liverpool (2)
Manchester City (3)
Chelsea (0)
Watford (5)
Tottenham (4)
Arsenal (0)
Bundesliga (Germany)
Bayern Munich (6)
Hertha Berlin (3)
Dortmund (4)
Bremen (3)
Wolfsburg (3)
Monchengladbach (4)
Seria A (Italy)
Juventus (2)
Napoli (3)
Fiorentina (3)
Sassuolo (6)
Lazio (3)
Spal (6)
La Liga (Spain)
Barcelona (3)
Real Madrid (6)
Alaves (6)
Celta Vigo (5)
Atletico Madrid (5)
Girona (8)
Ligue 1 (France)
P.S.G (2)
Lille (5)
Montpellier (7)
Toulouse (4)
Marseilles (4)
Lyon (5)
There are a few things you can take from these numbers, but it depends on your outlook. You could argue that English players just aren't good enough and therefore not getting the game time, or you could say that the Premier League is a higher standard and attracts the best players.
Let's start on the former. 'English players just aren't good enough.' An argument that I hear all the time and due to the fact it's so subjective, there's little point in me punching out a load of stats to the contrary. We have a huge pool of talent and we are spoilt for choice. Many European countries would give their right arm for the pyramid that we enjoy here in England, but that's by-the-by. I don't believe that a lack of talent is the issue.
Its fairly clear that the later is almost certainly true. The Premier League is, without doubt, the strongest and most competitive league in Europe. Anyone who disagrees need only watch some of the dross that's played in Portugal or Spain. I'd also argue that the Championship is stronger than most of the top leagues across Europe. (Don't @ me)
However, you just can't get past the fact that in Germany, almost every side boasts 3-6, and in many cases, 8-10 German players playing in the top flight. I'm not suggesting that this is why they do so well in international football, as the last World Cup blows that out of the water. But, it does show that German players enjoy playing in their own country and the competition for places simply isn't as strong.
Case and point, Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge, Sterling would all walk into any of the top 6 sides in Germany. Only one of those players gets a regular start for the Three Lions.
But, that doesn't stack up with France. I don't think anyone can argue that the French were fantastic in Russia. At times they were sublime. This does fly in the face of what you'll see if you tune in to watch Ligue 1 football. At best it's dull, uninspiring, tripe. 'Sunday league' stuff. So how is it that they entertained us over the long hot summer of 2018?
Well, it's simple. Almost none of them play in France. Many play in the Premier League, so they're being coached by the very best.
But all that aside, the 'Home-grown' rule was brought in to help the national side. To encourage Premier League sides to include 'Home-grown' talent and help improve their game, but is it working? Clearly, it's not.
Whilst they're playing by the rules, they really are stretching them to the Nth degree.
Let's focus on the current top 6 in the PremierLeague. (I've added Manchester United in for reference)
These are all the players that each side have listed as HOME-GROWN....
48 players in total. So, although Arsenal and Chelsea didn't field a single player that was born in England, they did feature several who are considered to be home-grown.
Therein lies the problem. The very rule that was brought in to help encourage home-grown talent, is the very same rule that's keeping them from getting the chance to shine.
Just look at some of those names. Pogba, Lukaku, Bellerin, and Pereira to name but a few who are getting regular starts for the top Premier League sides, who are holding back the young talent that this country has to offer.
I'm not suggesting that they should play English players regardless of their ability, but it is clear that the rules that were set out by the Premier League are not fit for purpose.
It's also clear that some sides are very keen on keeping it 'English' and they should be commended for that. (GO ON THE HORNETS)
If we want to see the England side get to a World Cup final, then the Premier League and the FA need to do more. Much, much more.
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