The View From Down Under - Salty Has His Say

I guess I state the obvious here, but while the FA, UEFA and FIFA sit on their hands, nothing is going to change.

While the huge sums that PL clubs have available to them exists, it is always going to be the case that these clubs will buy the best players that the world has to offer. One can't blame them; it's a natural thing to do.

However, the influx of foreign talent inevitably lessens the opportunities available for local (English) players to grow and improve their own games at the highest level. All but a few of the very best will be consigned to the lesser leagues where opportunities to develop and progress inevitably lessen.

The result is that the England national team must inevitably suffer; if for no other reason than there is a smaller pool of players available who have had experience at the highest level.

If the administrators of the PL are charged with progressing the PL, such a circumstance cannot be blamed on them. They only have to do what is good for the PL and its constituent clubs.

The problem is that of the Football Association's. My understanding is that the FA is responsible for managing and progressing football in England. That being the case you'd have to wonder why this situation is allowed to persist.

I think most people can see the problem and most can see what needs to be done. What is causing the FA to procrastinate so? Is it simple incompetence? The longer this remains unresolved the worse it will become for what was once a proud football nation.

The FA and the PL need to get their heads together and establish a structure where the financial advantage that the PL has over other world leagues is retained but tempered and balanced by the need to provide an appropriate level of growth opportunities for English footballers. It can't be all that difficult surely?

The problem is, of course, the power of the big clubs. Look at the Liverpool v Chelsea game this week - there were only three English players on the pitch and one of those, Carragher, has opted not to play for England. The 6/5 rule proposed by Platini seems the way forward but will anybody be brave enough to force it through? Somehow, I doubt it!

Now West Ham seem to be going the way of the others with a foreign manager and an increasing number of foreign signings. If you can't beat them, join them I suppose. But at this rate, Australia will be favourites to beat the England team in football as well as cricket and rugby!