The ultimate irony about today’s Europa Cup final between Chelsea and Arsenal in Baku (picture above) is that it is being portrayed as an all English affair. Most, if not all the players, if Ross Barkley doesn’t start for Chelsea, will be from overseas, both clubs are foreign owned, both managers are foreign. Even the vast majority of supporters will not be English, thanks to the ludicrous choice of venue. All-English my arse.
I don’t know the actual statistics but no one can be surprised at the rejection of young English talent by the top Premier League clubs. It is not just Chelsea or Arsenal. On Saturday, the vast majority of players will not be eligible to play for England as Liverpool take on Spurs in the Champions League Final.
I’d argue that it’s even worse lower down the Premier League when even run-of-the-mill clubs prefer to buy journeymen from abroad than to develop and actually give a chance to home-grown talent. How many English players turned out for Watford when they were humiliated in the FA Cup final by UAE monied Manchester City? Two, was it, neither of whom are anywhere near international quality.
So, tonight we, which doesn’t include me, can enjoy the final of a trophy that exists for European also-rans, played out on the other side of the world, played for my clubs owned by people on the other side of the world, with players from the other side of the world.
I very much doubt that Gareth Southgate will be there. What would be the point?
