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Platini blasts English clubs

Platini blasts English clubs


Platini blasts English clubs

Michel Platini has hit out at English clubs for their constant purchasing of foreign talent and lack of development of their own national talent. Arsenal have long been used as an example of lack of English talent, and Platini appears to back the notion of a quota for foreign players.

The Frenchman said: "I am totally against this philosophy and I am a firm believer that we need to take care of the identity of the club.

"This is why for Manchester United there are no English players and I'm totally not in favour of that.

"Don't get me wrong I like Ferguson and Arsene Wenger is a great friend of mine, but I don't like the system that scours other countries for the best young talent to bring back to their team."

England midfielder Steven Gerrard has admitted he fears for the long-term future of the England side unless more homegrown talent is allowed to develop and flourish in the Barclays Premier League.

And Platini added on BBC News 24 programme Hard Talk: "It is difficult for all the countries because they cannot all have the best players.

"But because of the money the best players will leave at 14 which means success will always follow money and we need to correct that."