Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has dismissed claims that the number of foreign players in the Premier League is to blame for England’s World Cup failure, insisting that overseas raise the standards of the English game.
Following England’s disappointing World Cup performance, questions were again raised as to whether the poor performance of the English national team was due to the influx of foreign players into Premier League.
But Del Bosque believes dismisses that idea and insists foreign players should be welcomed into the English game.
“I don’t think it’s damaging for English football to have people from abroad. On the contrary – I think that it’s quite enriching to have good coaches and the best players from around the world to play in the Premier League,” Del Bosque said.
“I can’t agree that one poor result from a national team is due to too many foreign coaches and players.
“I think the England squad has enormously talented players, so I certainly don’t think it’s a problem of quality. I think English football is very much up to date.”
And UEFA technical director Andy Roxburgh, also talking at the end of a three-day UEFA conference in Madrid, agreed with Del Bosque’s assessment, insisting that people should not read too much into England’s World Cup exit.
“There’s a chance element to it. So I think to suggest English football is in trouble because of what happened in that one game… you’ve noticed they’ve already bounced back and, as any top coach will tell you, you have to have a rebound mentality and clearly England have shown that, they have rebounded,” he said.
“Everybody can have a bad day. Vicente (Del Bosque) had a rather awkward day in Durban on the opening of the World Cup against Switzerland when they lost 1-0, but what happened? They went on to win the World Cup.
“I’m not suggesting England are going to win the Euros or World Cup here, but all I can say is watch this space. They are back and running again.”
