The debate surrounding the foreign influence over the English game is one which everybody seems to have an opinion on. Eric Cantona has had his two pence worth, Johan Cruyff jumped in with a few punches a couple of years ago and I’m pretty sure every public free-house in the country has, at some point, hosted the hotly contested issue, reminiscent of an episode of Question Time. There is certainly no fence to sit on when discussing the matter. The general consensus of former professionals is that the end is nigh for our national team if England’s top clubs continue to recruit from abroad. But are they right? Have the foreign invasion really quashed the progress of the next group of Britain’s best?

Back in 1908, Tottenham signed the very first foreigner to ever play in England. German striker Max Seeburg made his first and last appearance in a defeat away at Hull. Insignificant maybe, but I don’t think anyone would have predicted Seeburg’s arrival would open a door through which the rest of the world could wander through and play football in England. Admittedly, it didn’t exactly work that quickly. The combination of the arrival of the brand new, exciting FA Premier League and USA ’94 seemed to be the catalyst to the invasion of foreign stars. Interestingly, England were absent from that World Cup. In hindsight, watching the world’s stars light up the biggest football stage and then bringing them to England probably wasn’t the way to prevent England from failing to reach another major tournament.

But the prize was too great for clubs to risk trusting their home-grown products over an experienced international. Alex Ferguson promised to knock Liverpool ‘off their perch’ when he took over at Manchester United. Was he really going to achieve this by picking Kevin Pilkington in goal over Peter Schmeichel? And what about Eric Cantona? Many consider the elegant Frenchman the player who transformed United from challengers into champions.

Then there is the argument that says if the English talent is good enough, then they’ll play. Despite Premier League football becoming a playground for the stinking rich, I think in modern times, this applies more than ever. Look at Joe Hart, Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll. All three have been given the opportunity, not because their respective clubs had no other option, but because they are good enough to play football at the top level. But wait, if we are using this logic, on current form, shouldn’t Danny Welbeck be getting a game at Old Trafford instead of being shafted out on loan to make way for a previously unheard of Mexican with a funny nickname?

It’s certainly a fine margin. Some of England’s great prospects have become victim to the foreign import, there‘s no question. I think about players such as Shaun Wright-Phillips who burst onto the scene only to fall short after his big money move to Chelsea. But did he fail or did the new regime at Stamford Bridge fail him? His career in West London could best be described as stuttering – he was never given enough time and chances to prove his worth.

Then again, is this the problem? As soon as we get an English talent coming through the ranks, the big sharks start smelling success and back the less fortunate teams into corners which financially speaking, they cannot get out of. At the moment, we are all presiding over the future of Southampton’s 17-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. £10 million is the rumoured figure. What has he done to warrant such a price tag? By slapping that kind of money on his forehead, are the press just waiting for him to fail? It would make a good story after all…

When we talk about the morality of clubs who plough money into circulation by bringing in foreign stars, Aston Villa is thrown in as a counter argument, naturally. I actually read that should the amount of foreign players in the starting line up be limited then they would be top of the league. No disrespect, but my argument would be that the Premier League would be of a pretty ordinary standard. Yes, Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor are good English players, but they are no more than that. Let me put it this way – Nani or Young? Didier Drogba or Agbonlahor?

This whole article points to one thing: the Premier League has so many foreign stars because we simply do not produce enough quality ourselves. Is this the fault of our exports from abroad? Absolutely not. Managers know what they need and they know what is good enough, and if it can’t be British, then they have every right to look elsewhere. Would I like to see to see more English stars in the Premier League winning trophies? Of course, but it’s not happening for a reason. Take West Ham as a case in point: Matthew Upson wasn’t considered good enough at Arsenal. Wayne Bridge wasn’t considered good enough at Chelsea or Man City. Even Scott Parker and Carlton Cole failed to impress at Stamford Bridge. All these players get mentioned when we talk about England’s next squad, and we wonder why England haven’t won a major trophy since 1966.

So, are foreigners stopping British stars coming through or is it just a convenient excuse? It’s hard to say, because in players like Hart, Carroll, Wilshere and even Chris Smalling we have proof that if you’re good enough, you’ll play. Admittedly, it’s becoming harder for home-grown players as clubs are free-spending, looking for instant success. But there is no replacing a world-class talent who didn’t cost a penny. I think I’ve found that fence, is that a spare seat I see?

Did you enjoy my ranting? Follow me on Twitter @Joino

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