German clubs encourage youngsters to gain tournament experience with national age-group sides, an approach now bearing fruit with Germany’s wonderfully youthful drive to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Lukas Podolski at the Nationalmanschaft Kampftechnik
England's problem with developing players of significant tournament calibre has been highlighted by Tottenham Hotspur’s refusal to allow four of their prospects to join England Under-19s at an important tournament in France next week. The four Spurs players, Andros Townsend, Steven Caulker, Dean Parrett and Ryan Mason, were chosen in Noel Blake’s provisional squad currently training at Warwick University before leaving for Normandy on July 15. England’s group involves Austria, Holland and France with the top pair joining two from Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia in the semi-finals.
Spurs have sent a letter to the FA saying they always feel country should come before club but this tournament comes when players are a week back into pre-season and will not be in the condition to do themselves justice. The FA is understood to be highly frustrated. In letters sent last month to all clubs, the FA said it wanted “to prioritise player release in the Under-19s outside the competitive part of the season’’. It was hoped clubs would co-operate following what had appeared productive discussions between the FA, the Premier League and Football League.
This club-versus-country stand-off is particularly embarrassing for the chairman of Club England, Sir Dave Richards, who is also chairman of the Premier League. Such an impasse would be unlikely in other European countries, whose professional clubs are more committed to the national team.
