Just some points this thread made me think about.
Sometimes, the players from top clubs tend to have more exposure to
higher levels of football. Champion's League, UEFA Cup. They would
have wider range of experience as compared to lower clubs.
On the flip side, these are players on whom it is easier to find
out and do research on. It's easier for opponents to prepare
against them. I would say a lot of other teams have very complete
profiling on the England squad. And with a predictable manager like
Eriksson or Macgoreng, it'll be hard for England to do well.
Moreover, with big names comes big expectations. Like the case of
Lampard, a four years ago people didn't see Lampard the same way
they have over the past 2 years. I wouldn't say he is a poorer
player now as compared to when his name came to more prominence,
but yet the crowds love to hate him now because they wanted so much
more from him.
Another reason why getting 1 or 2 more players from the same club
would help is because of understanding and familarity the players
have with one another. Like Gary Neville and Beckham's partnership
on the right flank. Or Ashley Cole with Joe Cole on the left.
But to really help out English players from smaller clubs, FA
should do something about it. They should do something that gives
clubs incentive to invest in talent downwards. It's hard to compete
when the club has cheaper alternatives from outside England.
