Are Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea & Blackburn Guilty Of Not Giving Home Grown Talent A Chance?

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While on Manchester United’s foray in Japan for the World Club Championships, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has once again reiterated that he would like to see a limit on foreign players in the starting XI’s in the Premier League, with the United boss all in favour of having to field 6 British players in the starting XI.

Speaking ahead of Thursday's match against Gamba Osaka Ferguson said: “I think it should be a concern when local and national players are not given opportunities, so therefore eventually there have to be limitations on foreign players. That way clubs' youth systems are protected. Progress is progress and the future has to protect the national game.”

Even though we all know this contravenes EU law and is highly unlikely to be introduced. What would happen in the Premiership if it, was introduced today?

The first club that springs to mind would be Arsenal, having fielded an entire team of foreign imports on more than one occasion. However, they do have 11 players from the British Isles in the first team squad, though not one of these players is out of their teens yet. So while they have youngsters coming through they would struggle to have six British players start for them in the Premier League and be competitive. Leaving them to field their Carling Cup kids to meet the quota.

Chelsea, don’t even have the option of fielding British youngsters, because they simply don’t have any. While they do have 5 England Internationals at Stamford Bridge if you look further than that they only have 2 other English players in the first team squad. Yes they also have Michael Mancienne on loan at Wolves, but with Luiz Felipe Scolari willing to send a player out on loan that has pushed himself into the thoughts of England boss Fabio Capello, with his performances for the Under-21’s. What message does that send to the British schoolboys at the club?

You then look at Liverpool and it would appear that Rafa Benitez’s side would struggle immediately if this quota was introduced. Only 8 English players and Irishman Robbie Keane in the squad, with only Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher along with Keane likely to be in Rafa’s starting line-up on any given match day. In fact no British talent has emerged from the Red half of Merseyside and been used by Liverpool consistently since Gerrard and Carragher along with Michael Owen burst on to the football scene many years ago now. They have 7 British players out on loan, but we all know these players are highly unlikely to feature for the Reds in the future.

So now to Blackburn, who you might have thought, would have a British heart and soul? Not at all, only 6 English players, 3 Irish and a Welshman and of these they could just about scrape together the required 6. For 3 of these 10 players are goalkeepers and Danny Simpson is on loan. So Blackburn would struggle to as they are now anyway if this quota were to be introduced.

So is it any surprise that Ferguson would like to see this quota introduced, with the knowledge that as it stands now it would severely impair his three closest rivals, while having little effect on his own side

If you go through the rest of the squads in the Premier League most clubs would be ok, with all the other clubs having enough British players on their books that either play for the first team or have a realistic chance of playing in it. Tottenham might have the best of it, with Spurs able to field 7 England Internationals, 3 England Under-21’s, 2 Welsh Internationals and a Scottish International if all fit. Although one of the Under-21’s is on loan, but could still field a very strong side as they have the players there to choose from. Aston Villa would find it very easy to, with their current crop at Villa Park.

So regardless of whether a quota is ever introduced shouldn’t clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, Blackburn and to a lesser extent Arsenal as the Gunners have a crop of English youngsters coming through, be looking to produce some real home grown talent and not be looking abroad every time, when trying to find new recruits for their clubs? Not just for their progression, but for the progression of the game in England.

The New Voice Of Football column at FootballFancast.com

Wenger To Send Arsenal Youngsters Out On Loan

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he is ready to send some of the youngsters at the Emirates Stadium out on loan to gain first team experience. Due to the Gunners elimination from the Carling Cup at the hands of Championship side Burnley last week.

Wenger feels that players like Jay Simpson, Gavin Hoyte and Kieran Gibbs need a spell in the Championship, with the young Gunners having no real prospect of first team experience at Arsenal now that they are no longer in the Carling Cup.

However, Wenger has insisted that Jack Wilshere will not be amongst any players that are loaned out from the Premier League club due to the fact that the midfielder is only 16.

“Jay Simpson, Gavin Hoyte and Kieran Gibbs might go on loan,” Wenger told the club website.

“They need to play in the Championship for three or four months. Not Jack Wilshire though, he is only 16.”

Simpson and Gibbs, who are both 19 had spells on loan last season at Millwall and Norwich City respectively, with Simpson scooping the League 1 Player of the Year award, while impressing during his time with The Lions and was a crowd favourite at The Den.

Hoyte the younger brother of former Arsenal defender Justin, who signed for, Premiership rivals Middlesbrough in the summer has yet to spend any time away from the Emirates, but Wenger is keen for 18-year-old to spend some time on loan in the Championship.

However, Mexican International Carlos Vela, who has featured for Arsenal in the Premier League this season, is unlikely to go out on loan again after spending time on loan at Spanish clubs Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna due to not being granted a work permit, when the 19-year-old signed for the Gunners in 2005.

Former Barcelona youngster Fran Merida is another player unlikely to go out on loan, having spent four months at Real Sociedad last season, but has been on the fringes of the Arsenal first team this season.

Spurs Keeper Plays Down Talk Of January Exit

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Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez has played down reports that he is set for a return to La Liga with Valencia, despite being aware that Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is keen to bring a goalkeeper to White Hart Lane when the transfer window opens in January.

Redknapp has concerns over Tottenham No1 Heurelho Gomes along with 37-year-old Cesar, who were both summer signings for the Premier League club. Despite Gomes making a series of high-profile errors since his switch from Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven, Redknapp has still not given Cesar an opportunity to impress in the Premiership, with the former Spanish International’s only appearance for Spurs coming as a substitute in the Carling Cup against Liverpool.

Valencia are keen to bring the experienced Spaniard to the Mestalla in January, with current Los Che keeper Timo Hildebrand expected to leave the La Liga side in January.

Cesar’s agent Arturo Canales is understood to have already met with Valencia sporting director Fernando Gomes about a proposed return to Spain. However, Cesar has played down talk of a return to Spain, with the former Real Madrid shot-stopper insisting he is happy in the Premiership and did not wish to discuss the possibility of leaving White Hart Lane.

Cesar told Setanta.com: “I am in London, waiting to know what is going to happen.

“My mission is simple – work every day and then the coach takes his decisions.

“I have been told that Spurs are looking to sign a keeper in January, but we have not been told anything by the club yet.

“Personally I am happy with my Premier League experience but playing some minutes is also what I want.

“Returning to Spain? I am under contract with Spurs and do not wish to speak about rumours.”

Arsenal's Merida: Carling Cup Kids Making Wenger Doubt

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Arsenal youngster Fran Merida insists that he has no regrets about taking the same path as Cesc Fabregas in leaving Barcelona for the Premier League club.

Merida decided to leave the Nou Camp at the age of 16 to develop his football education under Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. 18-year-old Merida is tipped to have a great future at the Emirates Stadium and is part of the young Gunners Carling Cup side that have reached the quarter-finals this season after wins against Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic.

“I’m delighted to be here,” Merida told Marca.

“I arrived at the age of 16 and settled pretty well. My loan to Real Sociedad was a good experience and I feel like I’m improving day by day.”

Despite only having made one Premier League appearance for the North London club, Merida believes that the young Carling Cup side, which includes Jack Wilshere, Carlos Vela, Aaron Ramsey and himself would be good enough to compete in the Premiership.

Merida said: “I think we would. We are making Wenger doubt.

“We have been playing well in the Carling Cup, won the last game with Wigan playing good football. What we want to do is reach the top.

However, despite the comparisons with Spanish International Fabregas, Merida insists he will take it a step at a time in the hope of making it at the Emirates Stadium.

“Honestly, my plans are only short-term ones, like going to training tomorrow. What I want to do is have fun, improve and learn. And one day I want to succeed at Arsenal,” Merida added.

Merida is backing the Gunners to bounce back from the defeat to Aston Villa and has praised Wenger for the Frenchman’s management style, with the midfielder insisting the Premiership is not an easy league.

He said: “Every team experiences gaps during the season. No doubt the team will bounce back, as the players and the team are good enough to fight. The Premier League is not easy.

“Everybody has their opinion and can think whatever they want. Wenger has been at the club for ages and did great things. He brought one-touch football to The Premier League.

“The fans love him and I’m happy with him as well. He imposed his personality when he decided to play young players. Arsenal are the only team that play with them in the Carling Cup.

“I don’t regret having left at 16 even if leaving everything is very difficult. You have to take risks in your life. Anyway I am having a lot of fun.”

FA Hand Drogba The (Coin) Tosser Three-Match Ban

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Ivory Coast International Didier Drogba has been given a three-match ban by the FA for throwing a coin back into the crowd during Chelsea’s defeat in the Carling Cup to Burnley at Stamford Bridge last Wednesday.

30-year-old Drogba had already admitted to a charge of violent conduct yesterday, with the former Marseille striker apologising for his behaviour straight after the match. Drogba threw the coin after giving Chelsea the lead against the Clarets and was also booked for a gesture towards the travelling Burnley fans.

Drogba will now start his ban with immediate effect, starting with the Premier League clash against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Arsenal's Eduardo Set For Return Against Portsmouth

Croatian International striker Eduardo is set for a return to action for Arsenal next month, with a reserve game against Portsmouth on December 16th the likely date for the Brazilian-born forward’s comeback.

25-year-old Eduardo suffered a horrific career threatening injury in the Premier League clash with Birmingham City in February after a late challenge by Martin Taylor fractured the striker’s leg and dislocated his ankle.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had hoped that Eduardo could feature for the North London club in a reserve match with rivals Tottenham Hotspur two weeks earlier, but that fixture has been rearranged due to Arsenal’s Carling Cup quarter-final with Burnley being played on December 2nd.

Eduardo has just made his breakthrough at the Emirates Stadium last season in the Premier League when the injury happened and will be keen to resume his career in the Premiership after already having to spend 9 months on the sidelines at the Gunners.

Cesar: I Am The Solution For Tottenham's Goalkeeping Dilemma

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is weighing up the options already at his disposal in the goalkeeper department at White Hart Lane following Brazilian International Heurelho Gomes’ latest blunder against Fulham in the Premier League clash at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

27-year-old Gomes (left) has made a string of high profile errors for Spurs since his summer transfer from Dutch Champions PSV Eindhoven, with Tottenham manager Redknapp now ready to look at alternatives to the Brazilian until a replacement can be found in the January transfer window.

Veteran goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez, who was also a summer signing for the North London club is one option. Cesar has plenty of top-level experience, having been capped for Spain and winning the Champions League with Real Madrid in 2002 and La Liga twice in 2001 and 2003 during five-years at the Bernabeu.

The 37-year-old has made one appearance for Spurs this season coming on for the injured Gomes in the 4-2 Carling Cup win over Liverpool last Wednesday, with the summer signing from Real Zaragoza claiming to be the solution to Redknapp’s problems between the posts at White Hart Lane.

“I am here as a solution for the coach,” Cesar said in Marca.

“Whether I play or not, I am not going to change; I will keep a smile on my face and be focused on my club duty. But, of course, I like to play.”

The other alternative to Redknapp is England Under-21 International Ben Alnwick, who has just returned to Tottenham after a loan spell at Carlisle United. 21-year-old Alnwick will be assessed by Redknapp before the Spurs boss decides whether to keep the former Sunderland keeper at White Hart Lane or send the young keeper back out on loan, with Carlisle manager Gregg Abbott keen to have Alnwick back at Brunton Park.

Redknapp will use the International break to have a good look at both Cesar and Alnwick, before deciding whether to persevere with Gomes or hand either veteran Cesar or youngster Alnwick the chance to prove themselves in the next Premiership match against Blackburn Rovers next Saturday.

Hull To Make January Swoop For Young Gunner?

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Premier League debutantes Hull City are understood to be considering a January swoop for highly-rated Arsenal youngster Carlos Vela, with a loan deal likely to take the Mexican International to the KC Stadium from the Emirates.

19-year-old Vela has been at the Gunners since 2005, but has been loaned out to Celta Vigo, Salamanca and Osasuna in Spain by Arsenal since his arrival at the North London club due to work permit issues.

Vela, who was finally granted a work permit in May of this year has been in superb form for the young Gunners sides that manager Arsene Wenger has played in the Carling Cup. With the young Mexican starlet scoring 4 goals in the wins against Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic, which has seen Arsenal through to the quarter-finals of the competition.

However, Vela has struggled to break into Wenger’s thoughts for the Premier League and will be thrust even further down the pecking order at the Emirates when Croatian International Eduardo makes his expected return to action with the Gunners soon.

Eduardo’s return from his broken leg will allow Wenger to let Vela leave on loan and gain some valuable Premiership experience, with the Tigers reportedly the front-runners to land the young Mexican in January on a loan deal until the ende of the season.

Benitez Urges Liverpool To Show Passion & Character Against Bolton

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is pleased to have a Premier League clash so soon to put right the “disappointing game” against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Wednesday in the Carling Cup, which the Reds lost 4-2.

Benitez rested several key players against Tottenham, with Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Jamie Carragher and keeper Pepe Reina just some of the star names missing from the Liverpool team-sheet on Wednesday, although Spanish International Fernando Torres did make his comeback from a hamstring injury.

However, Benitez, while disappointed with the loss to Spurs has insisted that the Premiership remains the most “important competition” for the Merseyside club this season and has called on his Anfield side to show the character and passion in their league encounter with Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

“After a disappointing game it is good to have another fixture so quickly and that is what is happening now," said Benitez.

“We have got to show the character that we have shown in the past and respond to defeat in the right way.

“That is the most important thing.

“We have enough quality in our squad, so if we show the right character and passion we will be okay.

“Everyone will be really focused because this is the league and we know this is the most important competition for us.”

West Brom v Chelsea Premiership Preview: Can The Baggies End Blues 100% Away Record?

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West Bromwich Albion play, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Chelsea at the Hawthorns on Saturday in the Premier League.

Baggies manager Tony Mowbray will be hoping his Midlands side can halt the run of five Premiership games without a win, which has seen West Brom only collect a single point from 15 available in a 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at the beginning of the month. This has seen the Baggies slip to the bottom of the Premier League, with Mowbray likely to be happy to get anything out of the visit of Premiership pacesetters Chelsea.

Scolari might be on the top of the Premier League with Chelsea at the moment, but caught a rude awakening in English football when Championship side Burnley knocked the Blues out of the Carling Cup on penalties at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday. However, Chelsea have a 100% record away from home this season, scoring 16 and only conceding once in reply and will see a struggling West Brom as the ideal opposition to get back to winning ways.

Mowbray is unable to call on defender Leon Barnett (knee), Kim Do-Heon (knee) or long-term absentee Neil Clement, but should have Abdoulaye Meite available again after a calf muscle strain for the visit of Chelsea.

The Blues are still without long-term absentee Michael Essien (knee), while Ricardo Carvalho (thigh), Juliano Belletti (ankle) and Joe Cole (foot) are also ruled out of the trip to the Hawthorns. Ashley Cole could be in contention if the England International can shake off a calf muscle strain in time to face the Baggies. Scolari has striker Didier Drogba available, but might decide to keep faith with Nicolas Anelka upfront in light of the coin-throwing incident involving Drogba against Burnley on Wednesday.

Arsenal's Wilshere Set For England Fast-Track?

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshire’s performances in the Carling Cup this season look like propelling the young Gunner into the England Under-21 squad that travels to Sweden next year for the European Championships.

16-year-old, Wilshere had been watched by an England scout in last months 6-0 drubbing of Sheffield United in the Carling Cup. England manager Fabio Capello along with his assistant Franco Baldini and Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce were all in attendance at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday to see the young starlet put in a man of the match performance against Wigan Athletic in the North London clubs 3-0 win, which put them through to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup.

The attendance of all the main players in the England management set-up at the Emirates has heightened speculation that Wilshere, who has been hailed as the “New Gazza’ in some quarters is to be fast-tracked into the full International set-up and taken to the EURO’s with the Under-21’s next summer.

Wilshere has already been capped by England at Under-16 and Under-17, with the youngster only recently returning from a training camp in Tenerife for the Under-17 squad before his five star performance humbled the Latics on Tuesday.

Wilshere will not be able to sign his first professional contract until he turns 17 next January, but looks set for a glittering career in the Premier League and with England. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger compared Wilshere to Spanish International Cesc Fabregas after the win against Wigan, with the Frenchman nurturing Fabregas from a 16-year-old arriving from Barcelona five years ago into one of the best and most sought after midfielder’s in Europe that he is today.

Should Wilshere’s progression take a similar path to the one of Fabregas under the guidance of Wenger, then a regular starting place for both club and country is surely not to far off the horizon for the latest young talent to emerge from the Emirates conveyer belt.

Real Madrid Target Agger Happy At Liverpool Chance

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Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has revealed his relief at being given a run in the Reds team due to the injury to Martin Skrtel, with the Danish International, who is reportedly a target for La Liga Champions Real Madrid, accepting that a starting place is not guaranteed for anyone at Anfield.

Reports earlier in the season had claimed that Agger was keen on a move away from the Premier League, after having limited first-team opportunities, with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez preferring to partner Skrtel with former England International Jamie Carragher at the heart of the Reds defence.

However, due to the knee injury that Skrtel suffered against Manchester City on October 8th, which will keep the Slovakian International out until Christmas, Agger has been given a run in the Liverpool side and is glad to be back.

“It’s never easy to get into the team when you have a squad like we have at Liverpool,” said Agger.

“Things have been very hard for me after the best part of a year out and then missing out at the start of the season. I’m glad to put the last 12 months behind me.

“But being left out of the team after a long time out is just part of football. Now I want to show the fans what I can do again.

“It feels good to get back out there and I feel I’ve had some good games against Crewe in the Carling Cup and Wigan in the league.

“I found it hard coming back into the team for the Wigan match. I was very tired early in the second half and could really feel that I hadn’t for a long time.

“There’s being fit and then there is match fitness - there is a big difference between the two and you can only obtain match fitness by playing in many games.

“Although I want to impress everyone again, I know I have to just play my own game. If the way you play is good enough then you will be in the team and hopefully I can get a good run now.

“It feels good to be back.”