Why aren’t young English players given more first team opportunities at a younger age? It’s a simple question and it probably has a very simple answer, money.

The draw with Spain in their opening group game of the U21 European Championships was hailed as a match that showed the England U21 side’s potential and proved that they had a realistic chance of doing well in the competition. Seven days later they crashed out of the tournament with just two points to their name and languishing behind Spain and the Czech Republic.

Looking through the team sheets of that opening game I was struck by the fact that so many of the Spanish side were household names, known and supported around the world, the same could not be said of the English side. I decided to do a little bit of research on the players and their experience.

As you can see, both sides had played a similar amount of games at under-21 level. At full international level there was a substantial difference but this could be attributed to one player in particular; Juan Mata and his 11 full international caps. The most shocking statistic is the amount of top tier games played and the fact that Spain’s first team had played over 50% more  than their English counterparts. In fact, the three substitutes used by Spain had played just 19 games less than the entire England first team combined.

So why aren’t these young English players given more game time at a younger age? The obvious answer would be money and success. English teams rely on prize money and TV money so much that they daren’t give a youngster a chance, for fear that it might prove disastrous and cost them in the long run. Understandable; but it works both ways. Barcelona rely on similar revenue, yet they have found a balance that allows Bojan to make 163 club appearances for one of the best teams in the world. Danny Welbeck has managed just 52; a majority of which were earned whilst on loan at a mid-table side despite being touted as a future international by his manager.

Another example of note is Jeffren and Kyle Walker. The former is a decent prospect who isn’t likely to make it as his club side, but despite this has made 35 appearances for them. The latter is a future England right back who had to take a loan move from Spurs in order to muster just 18 league appearances at Aston Villa. In my opinion Walker is good enough and should have made far more appearances for his parent club and in a way he defines the mentality of all English managers.

It is this mentality that hinders both club and country. The fear of a debutant failing and the potential consequences, coupled with the myth that they need dozens of games experience at a lower level in order to compete at the highest level. The knock on effect is obvious and no more so than at the 2010 World Cup when England named the oldest squad in the tournament, averaging 28.7 years. The eventual winners averaged just 25.9 and the German side that conquered England averaged even lower, at 25 exactly.

Perhaps, with these statistics in mind the mantra that English teams don’t buy English should be changed to not playing English. Walker is perfect for this example too. Spurs purchased him from Sheffield United, so they do buy English, but they didn’t play him and instead sent him on loan for 2 ½ years. Sturridge too. Chelsea bought English but haven’t given him a chance, a chance he fully deserved given his performances for Bolton.

All this and I haven’t mentioned Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal midfielder was too tired to take part in the U21 Championships, having completed his first 30+ game season with the London club. Lining up against England in Herning was Valencia forward Juan Mata; fresh from his fourth consecutive season of 30+ top tier games, a World Cup winner and enjoying his second consecutive summer of international football. Perhaps Wilshere’s attitude is symptomatic and perhaps that’s the big difference/the cause.

The British press has an obsession with how many English players are signed. Liverpool’s recent spending spree and the subsequent reaction is a case in point. Perhaps the focus should be on how many English players are trusted to play and perhaps, before that can happen, the players and their dedication to their trade need to be trusted full stop.