Imports. Contentious aren't they?
In this country Football and Rugby League are two sports that attract and play host to foreign sportsmen from around the globe. Critics of the Premier League and Super League have identified the need to reduce the number of overseas imports in the game. But, are they beneficial? Do they raise the standards and improve our youngsters? Or, are our imports blocking the way of domestic talent?
Take the English Premier League. Arguably the greatest Football league in the World, the top flight in England is home to the most talented footballers from every continent and provides fans with a spectacle unrivalled. Players like Tevez, Drogba and Fabregas grace our league with skills and performances that dazzle our fans and media. But, it isn't that brand of footballer that's the problem. Those World Class performers enhance our game, they raise the standard of the football and our young players learn from them, no end. Our problem is the quantity of the foreign players in the league. Is Lucas that much better than Jay Spearing? Will Kieran Gibbs's career stall because of Gael Clichy? Does Javier Hernandez have that much more quality than Danny Welbeck? Just a few examples at the bigger clubs in the Premier League, but the same theme runs across the board.
The same problems exist in British Rugby League, but they are even more pronounced. A typical import to the English game is Australian, in his late 20's/early 30's, over-the-hill and finished in the representative game. There are exceptions, there are some brilliant exceptions, but they are few and far between. It couldn't be more frustrating to watch average imports hold on to places and positions that should be filled by hungry British Rugby players. The national teams problem positions are in the outside backs and yet you'd be hard pressed to name 25 players starting in those positions in the Super League that qualify to play for England. Now there are some other serious problems in the top tier of the British game, namely the standard of coaching, but the number of foreign players is undoubtedly hindering the chances of youth coming to the fore. England Academy recently beat their Australian counterparts in a two match Test series and certain players clearly emerged with the necessary quality to hold their own on at the highest level. But will they get their chance? Will it be too late when they finally are blooded?
How can young players fulfill their potential and develop themselves if they aren't exposed to the highest level? There is only so much that somebody can learn by being the understudy to a more experienced professional. Clearly the classier individuals are worth their place and definitely add to not only the standard but also the development of youngsters. Nobody minds the Didier Drogba's and Brett Finch's of this world. This isn't a complaint about a Cesc Fabregas or Michael Monaghan. They aren't the issue.
But Lucas Leiva? Javier Hernandez? Blake Green? Brett Delaney? These guys aren't world beaters, they aren't going to significantly add to the game. They are hard working professionals who have been offered the opportunity to work in England and earn a good living. They aren't to blame. But they are blocking the path of our future internationals and they are reducing the pool of athletes who could be selected for the national team.
If we want international success then the domestic scene of both these sports needs to be restructured. Domestic cricket has limits on the number of overseas players involved in the game and look at the success of the England cricket team. Why can't Football and Rugby League follow suit? Why can't Arsenal or Chelsea stick to four or five quality overseas players and then make the rest of the side up with homegrown footballers?
The standards might drop for a short period. That is pretty undeniable as clubs tried to adjust to the changes and young players were thrust into the highest level. But the changes would force clubs to invest in youth whilst improving and innovating their coaching standards. England would benefit in the long run, our national sides would be more competitive and fans would get to watch home grown players fight for their side. It makes sense doesn't it?
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