Prem clubs treat U19's as a joke, says England coach
Published 23:00 16/07/10 By Simon Bird
England are failing to develop World Cup stars because Premier League clubs are not serious about international youth tournaments.
As the World Cup inquest continues, England’s Under-19 squad launch their bid to become European Champions in France this weekend.
And coach Noel Blake has issued a stark warning for club’s to develop kids for the good of football. The majority of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, including scorer Andres Iniesta, were nurtured by winning the U-20 World Cup.
Blake has had to battle to get his best players to Normandy, with Blackburn defender Phil Jones not released.
However Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso, Fulham’s Matthew Briggs and a quartet of Spurs starlets have travelled.
Blake said: “If you go to Germany, they’ll tell you that they’re not just producing footballers for their club.
“They’re producing for Germany. That’s a big statement. Sometimes I wonder if we’re just producing for our clubs.”
