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English Football Fails to Transform Youth Into Elite
13/06/2007 |
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English football's failure to develop enough youth players into elite professionals risks pushing some teams close to bankruptcy, a report said today.
``Producing home-grown talent can be the difference between a financially stable club and one which lives on a perilous financial edge,'' said Joe McLean, a Leeds, England-based football finance analyst at Grant Thornton U.K. LLP, which compiled the report.
England has produced only 16 players who've reached the final of Europe's Champions League since 1992-93 and has underperformed at Under-21, 19 and 17 international tournaments, Grant Thornton said. The Football Association and the clubs must invest in shaping youth development instead of relying on foreign talent, it added.
The lack of academy graduates in the Premier League has forced clubs to search elsewhere, with 53 percent of top-flight players at the start of last season coming from abroad. In Italy the figure is 26 percent.
``For any club, including the very wealthy, having to buy ready-made footballers in their prime can cost millions,'' McLean said.
Justin Hoyte and Theo Walcott were the only English players who started a Premier League game for Arsenal last season, with neither holding a regular spot. Liverpool had three in its starting lineup for its Champions League final defeat to AC Milan last month.
TV Revenue
``With the game now at a new high in terms of revenue generation and popularity, money should be no object to plowing resources into the grassroots,'' McLean said. This would make the clubs ``better equipped to deliver players that can contribute to sporting success.''
The Premier League will make about 2.7 billion pounds ($5.3 billion) from domestic and overseas broadcasters over the next three years, up from 1.3 billion pounds under the existing contract. Many clubs, including Liverpool and Chelsea, are also benefiting from recent investment by foreign benefactors.
Liverpool, the 2005 Champions League winner, has reached the final in two of the past three seasons with a multinational squad, while Arsenal made the showpiece in 2006. Even so, only 3.9 percent of the players in the competition's final in the past 15 years were English. Italy, with 90 finalists during that period, Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil all top England.
Francis Lament
Achievements from England in youth and Under-21 tournaments also trail behind its continental rivals. While Spain has clinched four titles since 1998, England's best achievement is as a championship runner-up with the Under-19s in 2005 and Under-17s this year.
Former Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers manager Gerry Francis, who has been working with England's Under-19 team, told the Independent newspaper last week he'd be surprised if the nation ever won a World Cup again. Its sole success was at home in 1966.
He said countries such as France and Italy place greater value on youth tournaments, better preparing players for future senior action. Francis also blamed clubs for not making players available for internationals.
Today's report says these teams are the backbone of future senior sides. It also highlights inconsistent coaching and ``a growing couch potato culture'' for the lack of success.
``Intervention at all levels is needed,'' McLean said. ``While money will play a major part, it is not just about finances but also about the commitment to shape the nation's footballing future.''
(SOurce: Bloomberg.com)
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