Is the Premier League losing it's Identity?

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Barbra's article and a recent argument with a Blackburn fan had me thinking of the certain values and philosophy that seem to be diminishing in the Premier League.

Over the past couple of seasons, our board has worked on the advancement of our academies as well as scouting potential youth players. They have also taken the liberty of finding the best young talents in Europe and securing them while sending them out on loan to progress. In the meantime, this was working for the future of the club and it's stability, but we've ignored some current issues within the squad that has led to dramatic circumstances, thus having RDM/AVB/Ancelotti sacked.

Over the past few seasons, the Premier League has been relying heavily on foreign players rather than developing some of their own homegrown talents. In some cases, we have been literally 'raping' other leagues dry and having that respected league losing some of its identity as well, instead of actually taking the time and producing some of our youth. Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Arsenal, only average around 3-4 English players in their starting 11. Could this be a primary reason in the massive underachievement of the English National team? Is this massive over reliance on foreign players giving example for other rich clubs across Europe to do so? Clubs such as Sociedad, Bilbao, Dortmund, Valencia, etc, clubs that actually took the time and developed their own homegrown players which has helped the club become where they are today, only to be snatched up by other club's abroad?

For the Premier League, It may be the case of the modern football philosophy, An over marketed world-wide business and not a proper domestic football league that represents the nation. Has there even been a massive change in English quality since the 90's and early 2000's? Ridiculous prices going around due to the fact they are English players, 30 Mill for Carroll or Downing? You could even use the Brazilian National team as an example. Decades ago, you couldn't find anyone saying with a straight face that these Brazilian players were shite, Now they have some players who are overrated, impossible to like, and have no way near the talent their predecessors had.

I don't know if many others feel this way, but as an Englishman, I am glad and hope that Mourinho fulfills his promise in promoting our youth talents and giving this club's its long lost tradition back.

[Jase 43,479]

@, apologies for having to move this written piece here. Didn't think it was extensive and enough depth to be an article, even though your points are there. It sounds/looks more like just an opinion post.

Hope you'll understand.

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

Understood. Cheers

[Tomo 21,733]

The thing is English players just aren't good enough in comparison to the quality of the league the English league is, if the English league was like the Scottish League, for example, most semi decent talent will come through to first team but the exceptional one's (ie Wilshere) will get snapped up by some foreign league abroad the same way for example look at Portugal they produce more homegrown players but the best one's (Ronaldo, Nani) are gone by the time they hit 20.

I think the problem in England is the coaching, too much emphasis on results from a young age, footballers are delicate creatures, they need to be developed properly, and not be given task's that there not fully ready for (for example, Lukaku and the number 1 role at Chelsea), when their kids just let them enjoy their football, let them develop their skills then when they get to about 13/14 then start slowly putting a little more emphasis on the results, but not too much, then by the time their 18/19 they should be ready to make appearances for professional first teams, while getting slowly bedded in so by the time their 23/24 they will be fully set for a decade at the top of football.

Basically the gist of what im trying to say, is i would love it if more home grown young players came through at Chelsea but not for the sake of it, if a foreign player is better than i would prefer them to play for us because, well they are better at their job (for example, would you happily see our board sell De Bruyne to re-sign Adam Phillip and give him a shot in the first team?).

Edited August 9, 2013 by Tomo

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

But how can you base that assumption when these players are rarely given a chance? Look what United's youth team accomplished. Aston Villa's, Fulham's, and even ours in recent years.

Having home grown players representing the club and developing them creates a stability and tradition that not only benefits the club, but the league in itself. Dortmund are the prime examples of this method that has worked wonders. Bayern as well and it is showing by the level of quality in the league and national side. Spain have been focusing on this method for decades, bar Madrid. Having homegrown players along with other world talents is something we should strive for. United's 90's philosophy is something every club should try to implement IMO.

Hopefully Mourinho follows through in his development of youth

Edited August 9, 2013 by Cicero