A series of early international tournament exits in the last year have placed question marks over the quality of English footballers. Unsurprisingly, the finger of blame has yet again been pointed at the system responsible for developing young players. Zarif Rasul investigates the English youth development system.
THE diminutive young… 
In a little over six weeks’ time, the curtain will rise on the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, ushering in the 28th edition of the continent’s showpiece international tournament.
While the event is an undeniably joyous, vibrant celebration of football in the region, it has steadily evolved into a biennial… 
An overreliance upon a single player has been a recurring theme in football throughout the ages. It is an accusation that has been levelled at several Premier League sides, but over the course of the last decade few have been tarred with the ‘one-man team’ tag with greater frequency… 
Harry Redknapp is a seldom a man who likes to mince his words. Whether it’s expressing admiration for someone else’s player, or providing a flippant appraisal of Darren Bent’s finishing ability, he rarely leaves anything to the imagination.
The Europa League, the scourge of domestically-inclined managers across the continent, is… 
Over the last week and a half we witnessed a star-laden Manchester side snatch a dramatic last-gasp victory in the Champions League, and then follow it up by inflicting a crushing defeat at the home of their bitter cross-city neighbours.
If one were to illustrate this scenario just four years ago, it would… 
AFTER seven games of the season, all three newly-promoted teams find themselves safely nestled in mid-table, with tenth-placed Swansea City sandwiched in between ninth-placed Norwich City and 11th-placed QPR.
It is of course, quite a common occurrence for top tier newcomers, fuelled by early season optimism and momentum, to propel… 
The FA, the Premier League and the Football League, the three bodies involved in the administration and delivery of youth development, have all pledged to improve existing practices over the last eighteen months. Zarif Rasul looks at the measures which could eventually turn England into world beaters.
LAST year, The… 
On Tuesday night in the serene surroundings of Canada Water, 12 bloggers (myself included), one Sunday League team and decorated former England international Ray Wilkins descended upon Bacon’s College as part of Nivea’s enterprising ‘The Great Football Experiment’ campaign.
The event itself comprised a host of engaging activities,… 
At roughly five minutes to three on Saturday afternoon, two of the Premier League’s most distinguished players took to the benches at their respective home grounds. For one, the afternoon marked the next step in a careful and cautious recovery programme. For the other, the occasion signalled another reminder… 
The recent influx of new faces at Liverpool this summer has simultaneously served to reignite optimism amongst the club’s fans and place doubts over the futures of several members of the playing personnel.
Among the players rumoured to have the Anfield axe hanging above his head is forgotten man Alberto… 
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