English/British Players

[Parm]

Was just reading a comment in the paper today about possible player quotas in the English game and it did get me thinking, why arent more English players playing abroad? After Beckham left Real in the summer, I cant think of many (possibly Kazim richards at fenerbache) English/British players playing abroad.
Are our lads not good enough, too expensive, have an Island Mentality? or is it another reason as to why Foreign teams dont take our players on?

[Shaggy]

Well I think at the moment you'd have to ask why would any top English/British player leave? In days gone by they went abroad to play in a better league - be it Italy or Spain. These days the Premiership is top dog and unless a team like Barca or Real comes in for you, you're not gonna leave.

[AFII]

Money.

[Shaggy]

Money.

Aye, that as well.

[Milan_Milan]

The vast majority of our players aren't technically good enough to cut it in top european leagues IMO. The few that are are already playing for big english clubs on massive wages in their home country which happens to be home to arguably the best league in the world.

[Craig_H]

I think AFII and Shaggy, between them, have hit the nail on the head.

The PL is the most glamourous, most watched and most lucrative league in the world.

[dww]

Was just reading a comment in the paper today about possible player quotas in the English game and it did get me thinking, why arent more English players playing abroad? After Beckham left Real in the summer, I cant think of many (possibly Kazim richards at fenerbache) English/British players playing abroad.
Are our lads not good enough, too expensive, have an Island Mentality? or is it another reason as to why Foreign teams dont take our players on?

I think the key reasons have been stated - a general lack of technical ability and the money of the PL. However I do think that the island mentality and the fact that people are less well versed in foreign languages stops some of the players.

The only ones I can think of are Kazim Richards and Omar Riza (former Arsenal, West Ham and Cambridge) who both had Turkish backgrounds and ended up going to Turkey (and coincidentally getting more money than they could have got here).

I think despite the problems a lot of younger players might benefit a lot from playing in a foreign league and a lot of coaches would certainly benefit from trying to ply their trade out side of these shores.

[Parm]

I think the key reasons have been stated - a general lack of technical ability and the money of the PL. However I do think that the island mentality and the fact that people are less well versed in foreign languages stops some of the players.

The only ones I can think of are Kazim Richards and Omar Riza (former Arsenal, West Ham and Cambridge) who both had Turkish backgrounds and ended up going to Turkey (and coincidentally getting more money than they could have got here).

I think despite the problems a lot of younger players might benefit a lot from playing in a foreign league and a lot of coaches would certainly benefit from trying to ply their trade out side of these shores.

I do agree, I think a few of our younger players would certainly do well if they had a stint abroad. People mentioned about Arron Lennon today about how his final pass was poor, imagine if he had a season in say Spain, where his technical ability was worked upon and allowed to flourish.

But maybe the British kids are too selfish and have a closed mentality to playing abroad?

[-V-]

The second language of most europeans is English. I doubt very many english footballers know a 2nd language.

Oh and Money. Players who can get Premiership and Championship contracts are obviously going to get paid very well so why move

[slimbimjim]

The second language of most europeans is English. I doubt very many english footballers know a 2nd language.

Oh and Money. Players who can get Premiership and Championship contracts are obviously going to get paid very well so why move

Yep I would cite the language barrier as one of the major reasons.

[DannyMan2006]

The main and only reason is money.

Why do you think premier league teams sign so many foreigners? Because you can get a better player for less money.

There are a great number of players who would do really well abroad but would be priced out of a move. Then of course there is the fact that wages are at an all time high in England.

Then there is the fact that the English league is the best in the world, with the majority of stadiums being at 90% capacity.

I know which league I'd rather play in.

[DannyMan2006]

Yep I would cite the language barrier as one of the major reasons.

That's rubbish for me. You can learn the language no problems if you can be bothered to do so. It's all about embracing the culture.

I notice Gary Lineker was a relative success at Barca, but that was because he embraced the lifestyle. Whilst Mark Hughes was a flop because he just couldn't adapt.

[Parm]

That's rubbish for me. You can learn the language no problems if you can be bothered to do so. It's all about embracing the culture.

I notice Gary Lineker was a relative success at Barca, but that was because he embraced the lifestyle. Whilst Mark Hughes was a flop because he just couldn't adapt.

what was it that Ian Rush said about his time at Juve? something about it was like living in a foreign country.
I think the language/cultural thing is what I was getting at with the Island mentality, think as a whole, we have always viewed Europeans with some suspicion and have never quite fully embraced being part of the EU.

[Imy]

Not many English/British managers abroad too, having an English manager would no doubt help a player settle in better, a la Wenger and Rafa

[cannotmakeit]

The main and only reason is money.

Why do you think premier league teams sign so many foreigners? Because you can get a better player for less money.

There are a great number of players who would do really well abroad but would be priced out of a move. Then of course there is the fact that wages are at an all time high in England.

Then there is the fact that the English league is the best in the world, with the majority of stadiums being at 90% capacity.

I know which league I'd rather play in.

Well Mr Owen went to win trophies not money