For years English fans across the globe have lamented the lack of talent coming up in the country and when it did come by, the failure to transform their stratospheric heights of league performance into the international level haunted them.
A major reason for this was and is considered to be the copious amount of money flowing into the Premier League. Slot in the unquenchable thirst to find the best talents across the globe and get them into the squads to make sure that the season achievements are attained so as to keep raking in millions from television revenue and prize money and you get the picture.
Somewhere along the way, the path of the youngsters into the first team was found blocked by the foreign recruits as the national team suffered and the think tank was left mulling about where to bring out the talent to match that of Germany and Belgium who have taken over Europe.
All the while the answer was right under their nose and perhaps Jamie Vardy’s fantastic and record breaking show will now show the way forward. There was no dearth of talent, it was just stifled.
Perhaps now the clubs will look more into the lower rungs of the league structure and be more open to bringing in players into the top level as Vardy is a veritable proof that the transition can be made.
A look at the best performing players in the league this season shows the talent that has come into the top tier from the bottom league and flourished.
Whether it is Manchester United’s Chris Smalling, who was playing non league before being snapped up by Fulham and then United, or Everton’s John Stones who came from Barnsley two years ago or even Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli who has taken to the top tier of English football like duck to water after switching from the lower division in the summer.
It’s time for the clubs to believe in their own and give the lads a chance to see whether they sink or swim before spending millions on overseas talent. After all, if the English teams don’t take the chance, who will
