[Archived] U21 Euros

[joey_big_nose]

To be fair the U21 tournament is not actually that good a predictor of future success. The standard is so far below the developed game loads star at U21 who are below standard when they step up. Also others develop later.

However the issue of English youngsters getting no playing time at CL clubs is a massive issue. It must be addressed. Actually it's not just an issue for England, though we suffer more than most, CL clubs across Europe create massive squads of players expensively assembled who rarely play just because financially they can and to be competitive you have to. Punters are being denied the pleasure of watching some of the most exciting prospects and even established players.

A rule change is needed. The number of players in a competitive squad registered at the start of a season should be reduced to 22, and anyone outside that squad is eligible for free transfer. They still have a contract, but can leave if they want. That would make big clubs think twice about signing a Rodwell. It would also create a really interesting transfer dynamic.

Its an anti competitve crime that players who dont even make the bench of a Chelsea, Man U etc are often better than the best player at a Stoke or Swansea. A total joke.

[thenodrog]

A lot of English talent isn't playing regulary because the players are so greedy. The gold is to get a big deal from a big club early as possible. Look at Chambers for example. He even got his chance unlike many others. He just wasn't good enough but Bellerin was.

Jack Rodwell is a classic sample. He could have been a regular at Everton which was top7 club. Instead he went to City without a hope getting first team football. Now he is trying to create the career at Sunderland. I bet he would be a better player if never left Everton. But he got the money.

Scott Sinclair was stupid enough to make same mistake twice.

Yesterday I saw a rumour linking Delph to City. City need English players because of the home grown rule. Don't do it Delph.

Yet the other side of the coin shows us that Rooney is poised to become Englands highest ever goal scorer and Walcott has developed into an excellent player at Arsenal.

[Baz]

Yet the other side of the coin shows us that Rooney is poised to become Englands highest ever goal scorer and Walcott has developed into an excellent player at Arsenal.

2 interesting examples, Rooney is world class and IMO would get in any team in the world.

Walcott has suffered by being continually being played as a winger even at club level, because he's lightening quick, rather than developing a a centre forward where he started off. Maybe if he'd had a couple of seasons playing regularly at CF he would be far more effective in that position.

[Mike E]

2 interesting examples, Rooney is world class and IMO would get in any team in the world.

Walcott has suffered by being continually being played as a winger even at club level, because he's lightening quick, rather than developing a a centre forward where he started off. Maybe if he'd had a couple of seasons playing regularly at CF he would be far more effective in that position.

Walcott played up front for England twice:

4 goals scored including a hattrick vs Croatia. Why Wenger didn't turn him into Henry alongside RVP, I'll never know.