World Cup Brazil 2014 / Weltmeisterschaft Brasilien

[El Gordo]

So I have to ask the obvious question: given the depth of talent at its disposal, why has England failed so early in Rio? Do you have (as some commentators here are speculating) too many internationals in the EPL which is somehow holding back your native talent?

It may be an obvious question, but there's no obvious answer. Or no single one.

Admittedly the exit has come earlier than usual this time around, but a similar inquest has been held after pretty much every major tournament (i.e. every 2 years or so) since we won the thing in 66. The 2 exceptions were Italia 90 and Euro 96, where we got to the semi-finals.

There are lots of reasons. Yes to the number of foreign players in the Premier League, many of whom are not even internationals -- just half decent players from other countries who seem to be preferred over the local talent. Perhaps they're cheaper?

It's a long and complicated subject though some light might have been shed for me the other day when I was chatting about the World Cup with some German colleagues. They were astonished and appalled that one of their mates, a Dortmund fan, had said he'd prefer Dortmund to win the Champions League than Germany to win the World Cup. When I said that I could understand that, and many (most?) English football fans would prefer their clubs to win the CL, or even the Premier League, or heck, the FA Cup, than England to win the WC, they were almost speechless. German supporters and players alike have a massive regard for their country. There is much less cynicism than you get in England.

Now this isn't the sole reason for England being somewhat no good in tournaments. But it gave me an interesting insight.