England boss Gareth Southgate has come out and expressed his concern for the lack of playing opportunities for young English players in the Premier League.
"It has really serious repercussions for our national team," said Southgate, speaking to the BBC after announcing his latest squad. It includes midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, a player who has only played 22 competitive minutes for his club Chelsea since appearing at the World Cup for the Three Lions.
He has also left the door open for Jack Grealish, Mason Mount and several other Championship players having picked Championship goalkeeper Jack Butland in his latest squad.
"I can't rule out players in the Championship now as our pool is getting smaller and smaller," said Southgate.
"One of our biggest concerns is playing time for English players, shown by a number of the squad that came with us to Russia not getting opportunities to play. More concerning is that young players that may be coming through to challenge are not getting opportunities to play.
Just last year, England's Under-20 and Under-17s both won their World Cups and the gaffer, who took England to their best World Cup performance since 1990, says the "talent is there".
"The missing piece is this transition from youth football to senior football," he continued.
"There is still this link between 17 to 21 where the bridge into first-team football and the financial power of the Premier League has a big impact.
"I think it's worth us having that debate and getting people around the table to discuss that missing piece. If players are as good as any young players around the world, then that opportunity needs to be there."
He added: "If we are encouraging young players about entering academies, we are selling them the dream and there's an ethical element there too."
Would you be happy if Southgate continued picking players from the Championship in the England squad?
