Jamie Carragher

[Arn]

Is there evidence that this is happening in football? I thought our academy gave kids education as well so that they could fall back onto something else if they don't make the grade.

They got excellent education. They go to school and train football. That is a part of why young players pick us.

[Kenneth]

They got excellent education. They go to school and train football. That is a part of why young players pick us.

Is a kid in his mid teens able to freey make an informed decision to move to the uk and enter into a competitive environment with a defined path into a career in football? I would suggest not in many cases.

[Fredo]

Is a kid in his mid teens able to freey make an informed decision to move to the uk and enter into a competitive environment with a defined path into a career in football? I would suggest not in many cases.

No, they're not obviously the parents would make the informed decision no? At the end of the day, if the kid is talented and want to succeed, it might be better for him if he is in a conducive environment geared towards honing his footballing skills and still get the security of having an education.

[Shaggy]

For those kids - even the ones less successful than Messi - it's the opportunity of a lifetime. It's hardly child slavery FFS.

[Kenneth]

Don't think anyone's mentioned slavery to be honest Shaggy. You big drama queen you.

[Mostar]

For those kids - even the ones less successful than Messi - it's the opportunity of a lifetime. It's hardly child slavery FFS.

Absolutely. Even if they didn't make it, the education they get, learning a foreign language, living independently etc. will go along way in helping them with their professional careers later on.

For many it is either take this chance and see how far it will take you or the life below the poverty line especially if they come from the third world countries.

I am sure many would like to be in their shoes.

[Fredo]

For those kids - even the ones less successful than Messi - it's the opportunity of a lifetime. It's hardly child slavery FFS.

They they get to travel (expenses paid by the club) and gives them lots of experience along the way, seeing other countries, different cultures etc. Carra is talking bollocks and has a very narrow minded view on things.

[Kenneth]

Absolutely. Even if they didn't make it, the education they get, learning a foreign language, living independently etc. will go along way in helping them with their professional careers later on.

For many it is either take this chance and see how far it will take you or the life below the poverty line especially if they come from the third world countries.

I am sure many would like to be in their shoes.

Let's have the same scheme for plumbing then. Apprenticeships for 14/15 year old foreign kids. They learn a language, get valuable skills. live independently, a route out of poverty etc etc. For some reason, that's not allowed, something to do with exploitation or something.

[Mostar]

They they get to travel (expenses paid by the club) and gives them lots of experience along the way, seeing other countries, different cultures etc. Carra is talking bollocks and has a very narrow minded view on things.

[Shaggy]

I'm sure concerns over "child exploitation" are right at the heart of Carragher's "local only" wishes.

[Kenneth]

I this this started after I said it was wrong. Not specifically relating to Carragher's quotes.

[Lee]

Carragher also suggested that Premier League academies need to focus on English talent.

"We talk about players in academies not getting a chance but one of the reasons why they don't is because players from every other country want to play there," the 33-year-old commented.

"Our academies are not now just full of local players, they're full of foreign players as well and that's a bit of a problem for me.

"I think no foreign players should really leave their country until after 18 or maybe 21. The academy should be for local players."

Dare I say it, but is Carra using the age thing as an excuse for the local players 'not getting a chance'? These 16 - 18 year olds are well looked after, well educated and already earning decent wedge I would guess. It's every kids dream.

I wouldn't go as far as to say he's xenophobic, but I think he has this romantic notion that England should be managed by an English manager, LFC should have an English coach (remember Curbishley and Hodgson anyone?), and that LFC should have a core of local lads.

Nobody can say that the local youngsters haven't been given a chance in recent years - Flanagan, Kelly, Robinson and Spearing are proof of that.

[Mostar]

Let's have the same scheme for plumbing then. Apprenticeships for 14/15 year old foreign kids. They learn a language, get valuable skills. live independently, a route out of poverty etc etc. For some reason, that's not allowed, something to do with exploitation or something.

What you call "exploitation" others call "once in a lifetime opportunity".

Let me ask you this. If you have a son that is a gifted football player, would you stay in the way and say no I will not let you go and joint Barca or Real or LFC as they will "exploit" you there or you will be happy that your child has a chance to not only make it big and earn the living at the level only few will be able to but also gets the free education etc.

[Chris]

If there are good enough scousers they will come through. We've been here before but you know my point on this. It's cheaper for clubs to get players in with potential early on, then develop them. There's more risk as well as you won't know if a player will develop into a top player but that's how things are done now.

Not disagreeing as I said but just not seeing how his statement is disastrous. Cant help but think this all comes back to loyalty to one Spanish man!

[Kenneth]

What you call "exploitation" other calls "once in the lifetime opportunity".

Let me ask you this. If you have a son that is a gifted football player, would you stay in the way and say no I will not let you go and joint Barca or Real or LFC as they will "exploit" you there or you will be happy that your child has a chance to not only make it big but also gets the free education etc.

At 18 or maybe 17 I would consider it if I know that was his over-riding wish. Any earlier, then no, I wouldn't ship him off to Spain.