HOPE'S BLOG: Gerrard backs Dyke's plan to HALVE the number of foreign players in Premier League

By: Unknown on 15:02

Steven Gerrard has backed FA chairman Greg Dyke’s controversial plan to halve the number of foreign players in the Barclays Premier League.
The England captain, speaking ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Montenegro, is convinced the FA need the structure to promote young, homegrown talent.

Although the Premier League will resist any attempt to introduce a quota system in the game, the FA are determined to promote domestic talent in the future.
Gerrard’s club side Liverpool fielded seven foreign players in their starting line-up for the 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield last weekend.

Time to shine: Jack Wilshere (centre) trains on Thursday ahead of England's crunch qualifier against Montenegro

Sparring: But Danny Welbeck and Jermain Defoe will have their game faces on come Friday evening

Leading by example: England captain Steven Gerrard (right) looks set to start in the centre of midfield

Gerrard backs Dyke's plan to halve foreign players in Premier...

On Thursday it emerged that domestic players have played only 32.26 per cent of Premier League minutes this season, which is significantly lower than in Spain (59 per cent) and Germany (50 per cent).
Gerrard, who will draw level with Sir Bobby Charlton when he wins his 106th cap at Wembley, said: ‘It won’t happen overnight, but I read something about Greg trying to halve the number of foreigners allowed in the country.
‘That’s a good start. Credit to Greg, he is trying to put a structure in place to improve the statistics in terms of English players so we have to give it time.’
Dyke set England the extraordinary target of winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022 after announcing that he had set up a commission to save English football from oblivion.
Jack Wilshere stated his belief that ‘English is English’ after he was asked about the FA’s pursuit of Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj — who was born in Belgium and has Kosovan and Albanian parents. But Gerrard has a more relaxed view on eligibility criteria.

England captain Steven Gerrard denies text exchange with Harry...

Striking difference: Daniel Sturridge (above left) and Wayne Rooney (below) have trained well

Hodgson: England will qualify for World Cup

‘FIFA have rules in place so if players become available through FIFA rules it’s only right that the FA look at it,’ he said. ‘We need to gain every advantage we can to make the England team as strong as possible. To be fair to Jack he tried to give a very patriotic answer.
‘He loves England and I don’t think he meant to intentionally disrespect anyone in any other sport. But credit to him, he has a very strong opinion.’
Under current FIFA rules Januzaj will not be eligible to play for England until he is 23, but the FA are prepared to challenge the current rules in place if necessary.
The subject was first raised by Roy Hodgson before he appeared on the BBC’s Match of the Day last Saturday and has prompted fierce debate.
Hodgson now believes the FA must make a policy decision based on eligibility criteria to clear up the issue over naturalisation. All 23 of his players in the England squad for this evening’s clash with Montenegro and Tuesday’s game against Poland were born in this country.
Hodgson added: ‘The subject of nationalising players who have no previous connection with England and have not gone through the English education system or the English football system is a matter for policy.

England train ahead of crucial Montenegro match