Why Do English Players Command Such Extortionate Domestic Transfer Fees?

It has become common practice for English Premiership clubs to pay extortionate domestic transfer fees for home-grown players. Some of this years big money moves in particular have shown just how much the top teams are willing to fork out for an Englishman, particularly when they're young and being touted as 'the next big thing'.

Whilst I'm all for clubs trying to build their teams around homegrown players, I think the premium being placed on some, purely because of their nationality, is ridiculous and a massive risk for the clubs dishing out the huge sums of cash.

Since Kenny Dalglish was given the job of Liverpool manager, he has made it clear that the focus will be on assembling a team he thinks can challenge for the title, built around a spine of English talent. But surely, in spending nearly £60 million on Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll, two players who have yet to prove their real worth, he has been slightly foolish?

Carroll more valuable than Torres when he arrived at Liverpool?

Earlier this year Carroll cost them over £30 million, which is significantly more than the amount they paid for Fernando Torres in 2007, and few would argue which player had shown more potential before their big moves. The £20 million the Reds have just spent on Jordan Henderson is even more absurd to me. This is someone who played relatively well in the first half of last season, before tailing off when his team were under pressure and needed their main-men to stand up and be counted. When you consider that they may have been able to sign Luka Modric for a similar fee, it must make Liverpool fans wonder if their 'All-English' line-up is really what's needed.

It's not only Liverpool who are spending big on English players. Manchester United are expected to splash out £16 million on Blackburn's young centre half, Phil Jones. He has had a good season, playing particularly well against his new employers, but I still think that spending that much money on a player, who hasn't even been involved in the full national team, is a gamble.

£36m in Transfer Fees But Only 1 Full Cap Between Them... 

At the end of the day, the proof will be in the proverbial pudding, and if Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson help Liverpool back into contention for the Premiership they will be seen as bargain buys.

EB...
Twitter: euanblack

A Really Terry-ble Decision by Capello

In the past couple of days there has been a lot of press coverage afforded to rumours that Fabio Capello is to reinstate John Terry as England captain. I thought I would put a quick post together in lieu of the final decision (which is expected tomorrow).

From what Capello said today, the original decision to strip Terry of the armband was only a temporary punishment, because of his behaviour off the field. It's almost as if he was a bad little boy being sent to the naughty step until he had calmed down. In my opinion this is completely the wrong message to send out. The decision should have been made on the premise that Terry was someone who could not handle the responsibility which comes with the role. In order to be reinstated he would have to show everyone that he has changed significantly. I don't think he has.

Liverpool FC's Captain Fantastic, So Why Not England's?



Something I can understand is Capello not wanting to have a different captain for every game, and because Ferdinand has suffered from injuries recently he might want someone more reliable; but why look any further than Steven Gerrard. Gerrard, for years, has proven himself to be a brilliant captain for Liverpool, dragging his team mates by the scruff of the neck to victory in huge matches. He has also shown an outstanding will to win and passion whilst representing his country.

I'm actually a big fan of Gerrard and largely critical of John Terry, so bias is undoubtedly sneaking into this post. However, I genuinely feel there is no reason to reinstate Terry; he is a poor role model, and his performances on the pitch have never been the same since his penalty kick miss against Manchester United in the Final of the 2008 Champions League.

John Terry After the Champions League Final Penalty Miss



Unfortunately, I think the armband probably will be on the arm of John Terry for the foreseeable future, I just don't understand why.

Feel free to comment and let me know who you think should be England's captain.

EB...
Twitter: euanblack

Who Needs Managers?!

Whilst everyone is talking about the Andy Gray/Richard Keys scandal, and paying attention to the end of the January transfer window, it seems that one of the most ridiculous footballing decisions I've ever heard of has escaped the media limelight. I am talking about Blackpool F.C. being fined £25,000 by the English Premier League for allegedly fielding a "weakened" team against Aston Villa on the 10th November 2010. This is something I feel very passionately about; not because I have any allegiance to Blackpool, or anyone connected to the club, but purely because I think it is a genuinely shocking attempt by the Premier League to keep the 'bigger' clubs happy.

Ian Holloway has every reason to feel aggrieved

The Premier League will point towards rule E.20 which states that “In every League Match each participating Club shall field a full strength team.” However, this is a rule which is broken by all Premier League clubs, on a regular basis.

At the start of this Premiership season, every team was asked to submit a list of 25 players, from which they would have to choose their match day squad each week. Therefore, surely it is only fair that any of these players can be selected to play in any given match, if the manager deems their selection appropriate?! Apparently not.

What the Premier League have said is that this was an extreme case and will argue that Blackpool, in making 10 changes to their starting 11, were basically surrendering the game in order to prepare themselves more effectively for their next one.

However, I genuinely feel that this is not the case. Ian Holloway has said that due to the cramped fixture schedule, a lot of his players were fatigued. Therefore, whilst his 'reserves' might not be as technically gifted as the usual starting players, on that occasion, because they were fresh, they stood a better chance of getting a result. I don't know if it's just me, but I think that makes complete sense!

At the end of the day, the EPL are trying to manage the outcome of the league, in a way which cannot be allowed. They are taking the power away from the managers, and more specifically, from the managers of the lesser teams in the Premiership. In the past, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have made wholesale changes to their team for some reason or another, yet when Ian Holloway decides to rest some of his players because of the tough fixture schedule, he is punished. I know that he does not have the squad depth that these top teams do, but this is no reason to punish him and his club. He openly admits to having a tiny budget compared to every other EPL club, but he also admits that this makes him even more proud of what he and his team have achieved.

James Collins scores the decisive goal in injury time

I feel that the Premier League's actions have impacted in the following three ways;

The Club - Blackpool will now have to face a fine, which is not on (they have chosen to appeal it). They are also now under pressure to constantly field their 'strongest' team, even if the 'best' players are knackered. Holloway has come out and said even he doesn't know who to select now.

The Manager - As I have said, what has effectively happened is the FA taken the manager's responsibility away and tried to dictate future team selections. Not to mention the fact that this particular manager (Ian Holloway) has performed miracles in the last few years and should not be told how to do his job by anyone.

The Players - The players who have been selected for the game in question must feel completely worthless to their club. If Blackpool F.C. have brought these lads in to do a job for them in the Premiership, then they should be allowed to prove themselves.

I can only hope that the Premier League realise they have made a huge error and rescind the fine. Blackpool were a pleasure to watch that night, as they have been for the entire season.

I think it is only fair to call this particular blog post a rant as opposed to a balanced, objective piece of journalism, but as I stated earlier, it is something which struck a cord with me.

If you agree, disagree or would like to try and change my mind, please feel free to leave a comment.

Eb...