There was something I read about a few of the Arsenal academy players who play for the England U-17 team. They said that they find it difficult playing for England, because at Arsenal they’re taught to pass and move while at England it’s more of the kicking the ball up to the big guy style.

It’ll be interesting to see if those kids make it, and then what happens.

http://www.thisisamericansoccer.com/general/from-feilhaber-to-football/

On a related note, I’ve heard that young players in Brazil don’t actually play full, 11-a-side football until they’re much older, and generally play Futsal as youth players. Anyone know if that’s true?

I also played in the Liverpool Academy for two years and it was the same there. Rather than practicing technique in training, we’d do fitness tests and sprints. While I thouraghly understand that speed and strenght is essential in the modern proffesional game, I do believe that any player with an abundance of flair is groomed into simply an athlete. I used to beat people for fun, C.Ronaldo style, however I remember my coach shouting at me saying play it first time in the box, or give it back to the full back etc.

Could you imagine that in Brazil? A young Ronaldinho beats 5 men and deliveres a good ball only to be subbed at half time because he lost the ball once (I no from experience). I think if the likes of Messi had been English he’d of struggled to make it.

From the age of 11 playing in the Everton academy i’d always been told to ‘play it safe’. This is the reason we develop players like Jenas. Would he be a constant in the France squad, the Italy squad, the Brazil squad etc? No. He gets up and down the pitch well. He keeps possession well. Nothing else.

This moves me on to my next point. The fact that possession football is unheard of in the English game. Fair enough it makes it entertaining but it really is ridiculous. If a team in England (youth level) is 1-0 down they will look for the immediate ball forward. Usually into the feet of the big Cyril Regis like striker who will lay it back.

Teams always say they love playng against England because 30 seconds after England win the ball they’ll give it straight back.

Oh and by the way, nice blog mate, you are a good writer.

Of course Leeds have done their part in helping the situation.

Don’t cut your nose despite your face.

How many English players play abroad at any big clubs? Virtually none. Owen tried, Beckham had arguably the most success. Owen Hargreaves was the anomaly in that he didn’t make his name in England before shipping off overseas. There’s a real sense that if an English player is playing overseas he’ll get overlooked for international duty. But it’s also rare to have foreign clubs even interested in English players.