I've been worried for a while now about English football at grass roots and international level.
While fans may be delighted with their clubs new signings, I feel clubs youth systems are tinged with an element of neglect. Just think that quality players like Scholes, Giggs, Beckham. the Nevilles, Lampard, Ferdinand, Carragher, Gerrard...the list goes on. All these players came through their clubs youth system and established themselves as some as the best players in the world. This was during an era where foreign influxes of players was not as rife and more attention was focused on home-grown talent.
I'm not saying England has no hope for the future because we have some bright prospects coming up but it's becoming more difficult for them to make a name for themselves.
Anyway thats just my two cents, feel free to reply and call me a paranoid disillusionist.
yes, this is a good point and you are right.
all i know is my club (villa) are trying to keep the mentality of the club, british. this includes the players and maintaining the youth system.
yes i also admit that the lack of first team players over the past two seasons paved the way for english/british youth players from villa's academy to break through e.g. gabby, osbourne, gardner, o'halloran, cahill, ridgewell, delfouneso, baker. these last 2 arent british - steiber, mikaelson, but are very talented.
we are trying to buy experienced players, british and also have a mix of youth in the side too, which i think is working well. for instance take friedel, who may be coming to the end of his career in 4-5 years, his experience will allow for him to pass on invaluable advice to younger players, especially guzan who is his understudy.
not sure so much what other premiership club's academys are doing for their club's futures. but villa's academy is in my opinion doing a fantastic job.