State of the Nation. A Raw Deal?

STATE NATION fthe A RAW DEAL? Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere stirred some controversy this week by stipulating his belief that only English players should play for the national side. But does this actually make any footballing sense in the real world? In the Premier League its been a long held belief that English players don't get a fair crack of the whip in top footballing sides and many of England's finest are left to rot in the youth system academies or are shipped out to the lower leagues where their skills obviously lessen over time. But is this is true? Do English players get a raw deal in the Premiership? ENGLISH PLAYERS IN ENGLAND ENGLISH PLAYERS MADE UP THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF MINUTES PLAYED IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE ENGLAND 32,26 OF THE TOTAL FRANCE 8.10% FRENCH PLAYERS IN ENGLAND OF THE TOTAL SPAIN SPANISH PLAYERS IN ENGLAND 6,27 OF THE TOTAL IRELAND 4.77 IRISH PLAYERS IN ENGLAND NETHERLANDS OF THE TOTAL 4,00 DUTCH PLAYERS IN ENGLAND OF THE TOTAL BELGIAN PLAYERS IN ENGLAND ---------- --- --- BELGIUM 3.59 TÖTAL % OF THE SCOTLAND WELSH PLAYERS IN ENGLAND 3.27 TOTAL SCOTTISH PLAYERS IN ENGLAND WALES 3.17 o OF THE TOTAL ARGENTINA 2,09% BRAZIL 2.75% OF THE TOTAL OF THE ARGENTINE PLAYERS IN ENGLAND TOTAL BRAZILIAN PLAYERS IN ENGLAND Data Sources: BRITISH BROADCASTING COPORATION http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24464020 trophystore.co.uk