16 Jul 2010English Premier League 'should cap foreign players'

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance | Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Restrictions should be imposed on the number of foreign footballers plying their trade in the English Premier League, according to former Manchester United and Leeds United star Eric Cantona.

Speaking to the Telegraph, the Frenchman suggested the progress of native youngsters has been hindered by the ease at which overseas talent can be imported into England's top flight and even the lower divisions.

"You can have foreign players; but three, four or five," he explained. "You must also have good, young English players because they will play with great foreign players and improve with them."

Cantona claimed the lack of young domestic players emerging from English academies hampered the national side at the FIFA World Cup, leaving the team largely dependent on an ageing core of players.

His comments came after Goal.com revealed former Wolverhampton Wanderers and MK Dons boss Paul Ince told Sky Sports News foreign managers do not consider the development of English youth as a priority.

Written by Paul Roberts

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