England coach Gary Neville recently joined national manager Roy Hodgson in bemoaning the fact that young English players aren’t getting the chance to make their breakthrough into Premier League teams.
Both were specific in blaming the influx of foreign players for the perceived blockage, something that was particularly surprising in Hodgson’s case given the number of non English players he utilised when manager of West Brom and Fulham.
Whilst the lack of English players coming through at the moment is concerning, it could become an even bigger issue in years to come.
In the past it was generally accepted that players reached their peak around 27/28 and would then perhaps play at the top until 32/33 before calling it a day or moving down a level.
With advancements in medical techniques and players generally looking after themselves a lot better than years gone by, this increasingly looks as if it’s something that is going to change.
Players like Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs, 39 and Paul Scholes, 38 have demonstrated this season that when required they were more than able to still cut it at the very top of the league.
Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard will be 33 at the end of May, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard is 35 in a month, these players are not only occupying positions in clubs sides at the high end of the table but also international spots.
This generation of player seems determined to make the most of their careers and rightfully play at the top as long as their bodies enable them to do so.
Whereas in the past players who would extend their careers into the mid to late thirties were goal keepers or central defenders, the players I’ve mentioned operate in the busiest most active area of the field.
Premier League teams in general still seek to have an English core regardless of how many overseas players they have, the problem in the coming years maybe that the only home grown players in the team will be nearing the 40 age mark.
Allen Whyte