The problem with English players is they aren’t foreign enough…

One thing I have always said, and I am in the minority (but I like that), is that a problem the England football team may have is not with all those foreigners coming over here, it’s that our own boys don’t go over there.

Think about it. Some of the best players that have ever played the game, especially in recent years, leave their own country and play abroad. Often over here. Then represent their country proudly and win the World Cup or Euros or Copa America or whatever.

Perhaps the reason why these players are so good is that not only do they learn the culture and style of their own domestic game but they also add on top of this, other countries culture and style, making them a better all round player and a better all round human being.

Let me give you two modern day examples:

Let’s also use the FA 4 corner model of developing players. Technical; Physical; Psychological; Social.

Cristiano Ronaldo – grows up in Portugal. Learns the technical side of the game, learns all the ins and outs of his countries football culture, socially and psychologically.

Goes to England. Learns the physical, end to end all out action side of the game. Learns Socially the complete difference with his fellow players and also the manager and the press. Becomes a much stronger Psychologically.



Goes to Real Madrid in Spain. Again, different culture, similar to Portugal but still different. Real Madrid is a different culture in itself. Technically outstanding. Physical specimen. Psychologically dominant. Socially superb.

A World class player moulded by the different countries and their domestic football as well as the culture of the countries themselves. Each has their own challenges to overcome.

Ronaldo is the extreme example of what can be achieved when you leave your own backyard and see the world.

This is, in my opinion, a key factor in why England fail at major worldwide tournaments. Their players just aren’t developed enough.

An example of what a domestic player can achieve is Gareth Bale. He was a truly wonderful player at Spurs. But look at him now. He is an absolute beast of a player who can take Wales to the Semi-Final of the Euros.

Technically great. Physically he has got better at Madrid. Psychologically much stronger now than when he left. Socially almost a different person.


Where as England were dumped out of the Euros by Iceland. A nation who shouldn’t really be on the same pitch never mind knock them out. Who is Iceland’s star player? Gylfi Sigurdsson. A player who has left his domestic land and developed abroad in England. Thier are hundreds of other examples.

So to conclude this seminar. If England want to have a truly world-class team, then don’t you dare blame the foreigners coming over here, blame the English players for not going over there!!!

Get out of your own domestic safety net and grow as a player somewhere else. Grow as a man in another country. Learn another way of playing. Develop yourself in each of those 4 corners I mention.

Imagine an England XI with 2 players playing in Spain, 1 in Italy, 2 from Germany, 1 in France and the rest from Man Utd, Liverpool etc. Imagine how good you would expect that team would be…..

The Ginger Pirlo