Some good writing on the England situation...

...from the Economist. Protectionism, in the form of quotas on foreign players will not change the fact our players are mediocre because little investment is going into grass roots development, compared to that in Europe. Lets hope the FA still have enough money to set up a system like the French system, because they churn out excellent players year after year in vast quantities, as do the Dutch and Spanish.

The BBC also opines on the passing of a golden generation of English footballers. Were they really all that good though? The proof ought to have been in the pudding, or results. These guys have been lacking. But not helped by the lack of grassroots development. They were helped by having to play week-in week-out against top world footballers. Long may that continue in a free football labour maket...