Chelsea and 'the English game'

[T.S]

You know, I hate it when people who are anti-Arsenal (which, let’s face it, applies to most people who don’t support them) moan about our insistence on buying foreign players and the impact that has on the English game. The reason it annoys me so much is the fact that it is complete bollocks. There are other factors which are having a much bigger impact on the fortunes of the English game as we know it, and I will identify one of them. They’re everyone’s (least) favourite pretenders to the throne of English football; Chelsea.

Firstly, allow me to identify what I mean by ‘the English game’. I suppose I’m loosely talking about the fortunes of the English national team. However, I see ‘the English game’ as more of a reference to the league, so that is what I’m going to focus on, although I will touch upon the national team.

It is often argued that the Premier League (as it is now officially called) is the ‘Best League in the World™, but this is only a recent development. Around fifteen years ago, I’m certain that the English First Division/Premiership was one of the least attractive leagues around. Now, I’m not going to get all holier than thou on you lot, but I most certainly do identify Arsene Wenger’s arrival to ‘the English game’ as the major turning point for the English league and the first stepping stone for it to become the force it is today. We’ve all been through what AW has done for the game and how he has completely revolutionised most aspects of it, so I’m not going to focus too much on that. What I’m most concerned about here is the detrimental impact Chelsea is having on ‘the English game’.

Recently, Chelsea omitted Michael Ballack from their Champions League squad citing this as a reason, "Unfortunately Michael's current injury meant, at the time of the squad submission deadline, we could not guarantee his availability for the majority of the group phase games." Now, what about if he is available to play one, two or three games? Isn’t that worth having him in the squad? Anyway, my point is that although on the surface this is potentially a big embarrassment for Chelsea Football Club, if we look a little deeper, it’s actually an example of the detrimental effect they are having on ‘the English game’ (both national team and national league).

If we are to argue that the influx of foreigners in to the Arsenal squad is hampering the development of young English talent, then what the hell is going on at Chelsea and how are they escaping getting serious flack? Don’t know what I’m talking about? Well consider this. If we look at Chelsea’s Champions League squad, you will notice that they have submitted a list of 23 players of a possible 25 whereas every other team in the competition has submitted a list of 25. A gross error made my a big-wig at Chelsea? They wish. No, they were actually unable to submit a list of 25, and this is why. New UEFA rules state that each team must register at least three “association trained playersâ€

[daz10_uk]

Very enlightening TS didnt know some of the things youve put down

[U.F.G Anfield '89]

Great work TS, a well thought thought through and excecuted response to all the Arsenal bashing that trevor brooking and his ilk have been doing recently.

any space for this in the next issue ed.?

[DB10GOONER]

Obviously, being a Mick I don't care farge all about the English national team in general (or much for my own national team to be honest) but I do care about the PL and am interested in footy at most levels in general.

So, great writing and some very good points there, Tony.

I hope that article will be in the next Gooner mag.

Excellent work.

[T.S]

Thanks for the compliments, lads. Didn't expect this to be one of the most commented on threads, but that's cool. I'm glad it got such a positive reaction from you guys!

[Wayno]

Great post TS, can never have too much ammunition when the banter starts flying.

[Hagbard 23]

YAWN.

Did you send your job application off to the Guardian Sports desk yet?

[gunners-need-steel]

Brilliant work, TS ... quite informative, and excellently presented .. surely should make the next issue, eh ? ed ?

[T.S]

YAWN.

Did you send your job application off to the Guardian Sports desk yet?

Yeah sorry. I kind of thought that something over two paragraphs would prove a bit difficult for some of you. Apologies.

[Drone]

Great posting but si too long so i dident read it slovely.
As for enghlish footbal, is not about foreign players in the teams of premier league, but is about:
1. England dont have a coach, this one sucks. Ill prefer Arsene Wenger, or if hi dont want to menage International, why not Big Sam, i really wont like to play against a team that he manages.
2. Most of England players are chelsea players and they have an sh**t style of play as they are them selves same sh**t players, they have an sh**t manager who can only destroy players like, lampard, cole, terry, philips, etc. As long as this players play for chelsea and they play for england there will be no trophyes for England.

[gunnerhead]

I can give an example from a different sport. In Canada, ice hockey is the equivalent of football in England -- people eat, live and breathe ice hockey. A couple of years ago the men's national team had by far the best players in the world but together they couldn't do much. It changed after a change from the top and behind the bench (in ice hockey the coach stands behind the bench).

Most of the best Canadian players play for American teams so all this talk about Arsenal hurting the national program in some way is a bunch of crap. All the players in the England national team are from the Premier League. The previous poster was right that perhaps the problem lies with the majority of players coming from two teams, namely, Man U and Chelsea.

[Cus Geezer]

Lest not forget three future England prospects - David Bentley, Steve Sidwell and Jermain Pennant all came through our youth sides at one point.

[Galasso]

I can give an example from a different sport. In Canada, ice hockey is the equivalent of football in England -- people eat, live and breathe ice hockey. A couple of years ago the men's national team had by far the best players in the world but together they couldn't do much. It changed after a change from the top and behind the bench (in ice hockey the coach stands behind the bench).

Most of the best Canadian players play for American teams so all this talk about Arsenal hurting the national program in some way is a bunch of crap. All the players in the England national team are from the Premier League. The previous poster was right that perhaps the problem lies with the majority of players coming from two teams, namely, Man U and Chelsea.

The English players are not good enough.

They are technically poor compared to almost every other comparable nation and even smaller nations (Holland). This starts from the youngest age when players are chosen on strength, height and willingness to work. Other countries give their young players greater freedom to learn the game - at an age where learning is vital.

England and English football overachieves compared to football education - mainly at times when other countries are weaker and when a group of outstandingly talented players turn up at the same tournament.

And why the f**k don't English players go abroad to play? It might give them some more perspective on the football world, and life in general, rather than acting like the pampered spoilt brats they act like now.

[T.S]

And why the f**k don't English players go abroad to play? It might give them some more perspective on the football world, and life in general, rather than acting like the pampered spoilt brats they act like now.

I think a main reason for English players not going abroad to play is their inflated transfer fee. If players like Ashley Tweedy are anything to go by, they're all motivated by money, so I don't think there's any loyalty issue there. If Barcelona offered Frank Lumpard £200,000 a-week, guess where he'd be playing his football?

I think that lots of foreign clubs have the same mentality as us; why buy English when we can buy someone with similar (or in many cases, better) ability from someone else for a much smaller fee?

[Galasso]

I think Lampard would question where he plays not out of loyalty, but because English players find it notoriously difficult to settle outside of our game. Of course, as long as there is so much money here then these players don't need to go anywhere. I just think it would help their game to do so, as at the moment they are being paid ludicrous amounts of money to perpetuate their very poor techniques.