Cap On Players Will Never Happen Again

 

Beardsley knows the importance of bringing local talent through the ranks at Premiership clubs. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho claims Newcastle "have a bigger squad than Chelsea", but it is only because they have been forced to bring through the kids because of injuries. But, at least it shows the quality IS coming through.

Beardsley: "Glenn Roeder has always mentioned the importance of the Academy and bringing the local young players through.

"At Newcastle we have got plenty of young local talent and some overseas youngsters, like James Troisi.

"Glenn spoke about the homegrown players coming through when he first came to the club, and the Academy has proved its worth this season with Peter Ramage, Paul Huntington, Steven Taylor and Matty Pattison all being members of several squads this season.

"I don't think you could even have a cap on foreign players these days - it would cause too many problems as there are so many coming through.

"You look at Arsenal and Chelsea - they have so many at the club as a whole and you would have to make a lot of changes.

"In my days at Vancouver Whitecaps we had a rule where you had to have five Canadians at least in the XI and the rest could from overseas - that at one time would have been a way of dealing with it.

"The Premiership in general has had a lot of foreigners coming through.

"We have had the likes of Henry, Zola, Bergkamp, Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo and Klinnsman.

"I don't think anyone has any complaints with those talents, it is the average players that bring up the debate because they stop young English or British talent coming through.

"There is a worry that the fans at clubs lose touch with the players out there, but if you are winning it doesn't matter. If Arsenal win a trophy this season there won't be Arsenal fans complaining that they only have two Englishmen in the team.

"And last season there wouldn't have been any debate if they would won the Champions League."

"John Terry at Chelsea has come through, but perhaps he would have been through a lot earlier, like Wayne Rooney was at Everton, had the club not had so many overseas players."

 

*1983/97 P.A.Beardsley 320/4 119
Born in Newcastle and signed from Vancover Whitecaps after turning down Newcastle after being on trial. Known as Pedro, he is in the running to be Newcastle's Greatest ever player. Had two spells at SJP, playing for Liverpool and Everton in between (Manchester United one game previous). Genuine world class performer who once had a remarkable partnership with Kevin Keegan in the 1984 promotion season, then Andy Cole some years later. Returned to the club as Youth team coach after spells at Bolton and Hartlepool.