Ahoy there shipmate!

Shiver me timbers, first the treasure of English football comes under attack from UEFA President Michel Platini, and now our clubs are being labelled pirates.

Italian clubs Palermo and Reggina have broken out in support of Platini’s remark that English clubs are poaching the best European talent before they even pull on the shirt of the club that has nurtured them. This in turn is of detriment to the development of young English players who barely get the chance to shine in the Premiership.

Liverpool and Arsenal have been named as two of the worst clubs for stealing the best youth the continent has to offer but in truth others are just as criminal. Manchester United won the Premiership with the “kids” they brought through their academy, but since then the arrivals have been slim with only Wes Brown, Darren Fletcher and John O’Shea commanding at least a squad position.

Spurs too have few of their own players coming through – Jamie O’Hara is perhaps the first colt to be regularly involved since Ledley King made his debut and since the arrival of John Terry, Chelsea’s academy hasn’t quite been in sync with the various managers more exotic tastes. 

 

 

 

Some clubs are bucking the trend however and thrusting their young players into the demanding environment of Premiership football. Middlesbrough’s short-term inconsistency will hopefully be eased by the promise of the bright future provided by youngsters such as Stewart Downing, David Wheater and Adam Johnson. Perhaps more clubs should follow this example?