The minute England departed these shores for South Africa a few weeks ago, there was much anticipation that at long last, the football team could very well bring the trophy home. Of course, that dream was destroyed in no uncertain terms by the old enemy Germany in Bloemfontein as England crashed out of the competition losing 4-1. How could possibly such an experienced team who qualified so easily fail to perform? Not surprisingly, the English media has produced no shortage of scape goats and reasons for what was England’s heaviest defeat at a World Cup. There has been plenty of talk about the Italian manager, formations and more but the problems are a lot deeper.
Since its formation in 1992, the EPL has achieved wonderful success as an international brand. The cost of this success has been felt by English football. Greater television earnings has forced wages to increase. Subsequently this has meant there has been a growing divide involving club and country. Clubs pay their footballers a great deal of money and are more and more unwilling to let their players play for their countries.
In return, players get hugely rewarded by EPL clubs to the extent that success is categorized by securing valuable contracts as opposed to anything they achieve on the field. Regular players who rarely turn out for their clubs are still millionaires and the instant these footballers put money ahead of playing matches at club level, there is little doubt they do not have the mental strength or hunger to play international football.
Traditionally, there was always a regional reserve league which meant young players from lower league clubs could be guaranteed playing versus decent reserve teams from more established teams like Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United. Even so, in recent years, the EPL has changed so they will only play versus other EPL reserve teams. This means that Championship reserve teams no longer get to play versus Premier League sides. For teams like Ipswich Town, it means their reserve team now plays against Stevenage rather than Tottenham Hotspurs and this drop in standard in opposition certainly has a negative effect on the footballing education of young players.
With so much money on the line, everything is tailored for EPL survival. Clubs spend large amounts of money securing apparently first-class foreign managers and footballers in a bid to hold on to their EPL status. The ambition of promoted teams to the Premier League extends no further than finished 4th bottom. The EPL cash bonanza means that EPL clubs can provide you with £1-2m for young footballers at lower division sides. The players are eager to move and secure their financial futures but it may also signal the end of their careers. The young Crystal Palace star joined Tottenham Hotspurs but scarcely played and was last heard of on loan at Brentford, a league lower than when he was at Crystal Palace. From a football mind-set, Bostock would have been best served staying at Palace and learning his trade. How many more young players careers are cut down like this pursuing the money as an alternative to playing the fixture? Its difficult to blame the young players for taking the money.
There is also the familiar accusation that clubs play too many games in England and an increasing number of managers want a winter break. However, footballers don’t seem to be tired the minute asked to fly off to the Usa or Far East on pre-season trips. Or how about England’s friendly fixture next June away in Thailand?
There are simply too many ready made excuses for failure that footballers are ready to accept. They live a life well away from the real world with their mansions, expensive cars and trophy wives. Basically, there is not enough hunger or desire.
The match in Thailand also illustrates another headache. Not to mention the EPL being a global brand, so are the England team. Supporters want to see the big Premiership stars play for England and in friendly matches like this, those stars will be expected, if not contracted, to turn out. Yet, it is not the case that the best 11 footballers make the very best team. Too a great many footballers are in the team based on track record rather than performances. Young players should be promoted into the senior squad sooner.
For the upcoming Euro 2012 campaign, England should do away with the services of all players aged 30 or over. None of them have played well in South Africa therefore why should England persevere with them. It would be more effective to promote younger footballers who may still be hungry for success. Of course, while the worshiping of the Premiership continues, things are not going to get better anytime very quickly.
Tags: euro 2012, euro 2012 poland, uefa euro 2012, Ukraine euro 2012