Originally posted by nickm:
<strong>When top coaches, during the European Cup ban, talked about how if only British teams could ally their traditonal pace and power to continental technique, we could begin to achieve European success again - they were making that up?
Nationality does matter because it locks-in a certain basic football style and culture into a player.
When Wenger took over Arsenal, he made an error building the team on a British defence?
When Houllier took over Liverpool, he was foolish to ship out the spice boys and build his team on local players?</strong><hr></blockquote>
DUE SOUTH: You say Cantona didnt succeed due to his character? Isnt a character part of a player?
nickm - you basically prove my point. However before I explain why (and you best read it all so you can repeat it to next person) - do you suggest that other nationalities are incapable of having those qualities?
You prove my point because:
Euro managers: if you combine this with this you can win i.e. British players do not have everything.
Each team requires different attributes for each position. i.e. We always play with one defensive midfielder and one attacking midfielder. We always have a deep striker and an out+out striker.
A good manager will look at the position, look at the teams weakness and patch it with the required personnel. For example, we want a deep striker, who do we get? Owen? Euro player of the year? British as can be? No.
We will look around the world for the best guy, with flair, creativity, imagination, skill etc etc - British pace and power and Lion Hearts etc dont count for shit. Fergie went for Di Canio, failed and will now look all over the world. The player he chooses will be the most suitable player available to us.
Wenger wanted a reliable solid defense above anything else, just so happened he already had the best. But now they are mostly gone and the next gen are in.
First of all they aren't all British. Secondly he has chosen the best players available to him who had the attributes he wanted. Silvinho, Lauren, Grimandi, Van Bronkhurst, all non-British - only thing he cared for was that each player had what he wanted in that particular position.
As for nationality locking in style and culture - yes, exactly. but not every player is the same you know, take Irwin vs Harte - one is reliable and steady, other cant defend. Only thing in common is good set pieces, and thats kinda un-Irish if you ask me.
Then we move miles away to Italy where another LB has shone for years, Maldini. Reliable and steady as you'll ever get. However cant take free kicks like Harte/Irwin - and he is Italian! Whats going on?
Does this prove the point that every player should be treated individually and not labelled by nationality?
Any manager in the world may decide to go look for someone with heart, desire, power etc - but will he think British? No, he will think of a player who has those attributes. Could be a Korean player who will run and fight for 90 mins, could be Keano - it will not be "I better find an Englishman".
I said this before - the key to success is not British, its youth. Understand? YOUTH SET UP. Its not compulsory/essential - but its damn good, ask any good manager. Just so happens that most youth players in England are British.
