Dan

There's been a lot of talk recently about topics such as the number of English players in the game, how few kids are breaking into the top teams, loans, the effect on England etc.

I'm interested in peoples ideas as to how the situation could be improved.

Most clubs have a fair number of English youngsters and the top clubs are supplementing these by picking up foreign youngsters from all over the world. The problem seems to be that few (apart from at Arsenal) ever seem to break through into the first team.

Benitez often bemoans the quality of reserve/youth football and this year has loaned out many players who are on the cusp of the first team to clubs in the top 3 leagues. The problem with this is that a clubs kids aren't learning to play together and you can't coach them to your particular style or tactics.

Last year Benitez and Mourinho suggested a "B" team in a lower league system a la Spain. This would elimate some of the disadvantages of loans by allowing a clubs 2nd team to play together, but you can understand why teams in the Championship and below would be against this.

Maybe there should be a change to the youth & reserve leagues, currently these are organised locally, which seriously limits the strength in depth, perhaps a system where the Top Premiership teams reserves all get to play each other would be better?

Anyway what are your views?

Neo

I believe if they are good enough the English players will make it. JT broke up the Desailly/Lebeouf partnership. Steve Sidwell was sold by Arsenal but proved himself good enough to eventually play for Chelsea.

egghead

limit the amount of players a club is allowed to register and allow a rule to say that there has to be a certain amount of home-grown players, maybe 3. this would mean that clubs cannot just go around acquiring young english players who will not play 1st team football. lower league clubs will fare better as their assets don't get pinched, the players will get more experience in playing competetively and the best ones will no doubt then attract the best clubs.

also, competition at school should be encouraged more. when i was at a comprehensive school 10 years ago, football was frowned upon in favour of rugby and cricket. Players like fabregas et al must have been playing to a high standard when he was very young to get to how good he is already!

another one, make matches for younger age groups on smaller pithces so that they can get used to first touch and skill

LFC

At the ages of 17, 18 you wouldn't be planning of putting them in your first team but developing their skills. When they come back you can feature them in reserve matches and a few other matches and grow them from there.