Everton

Roberto Martinez calls for overhaul of development system

By Michael Penkman, Reporter | 13 September 2013

Roberto Martinez believes that the Football Association need to concentrate on overhauling the youth development system in the wake of recent comments made by Greg Dyke.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has urged the Football Association to re-examine England's youth system in order to increase the number of native players in the Premier League.

The Spaniard was addressing recent comments made by FA chief executive Greg Dyke, who claims that the influx of foreign players is stifling the development of English youth.

"The youngsters at 18, 19, 20 aren't getting the education that they would get in France or Spain or Italy, that's the truth," the 40-year-old told the Liverpool Daily Post. "I could give you so many stories of young players who have played 36 games for Barcelona B or had a great transfer to Real Madrid B, all those young lads are coming through and getting a great education.

"Here, lads of the same age are at the bottom of the dressing room. They're in the first-team squad but what experience are they getting? They're getting nothing.

"If a boy trains at Under-18 level he does 35 hours, if he goes into the Under-21s he's lucky if he does 10. We've created a void in that age group. It's really common sense. We make them professional at 18 and no-one should be ready to be professional at 18. We are wrong."

Despite hinting that the Spanish model would be of benefit to the English game, Martinez said that compromising the Football League is not an option.

"I don't think that B-teams will ever happen in our game because the lower leagues in this country are the best in the world so we shouldn't lose that," he added.

"But I'm sure there are ways to find common ground so that youngsters can play competitive football before they get into the first team."

Martinez was named as David Moyes's successor at Goodison Park in May.