Cruyff blast for ‘foreign’ England and Italy

(GSM) – Dutch legend Johan Cruyff has lambasted English and Italian clubs for their reliance on foreign players following the respective nations’ the World Cup debacle.

Cruyff has weighed his criticism on the basis of a lack of homegrown talent to explain the disappointing tournaments of the national sides, saying he favours FIFA’s ‘6 plus 5’ rule.

Italy finished bottom of a group which contained New Zealand, Slovakia and Paraguay while England laboured through their group only to be thrashed 4-1 by Germany in the second round.

“There are far too many foreign players in England and Italy,” Cruyff said. “It means 50% of the starting line-ups for the national teams don’t even play in the first ranked team in their own league.

“And the policies of football are behind this. It’s these policies that mean Inter can win the Champions League without having one Italian in their side. And then a few weeks later you see what a disaster the Italian national side is.

“And if the governing body of football can’t change their politics then the national federations should do something. That is why I am a big supporter of the ‘6 plus 5’ rule. But I feel like I am out in the desert on my own shouting in support of this system.

“It’s time for there to be a balance in the number of home players and foreign players.”