

A couple of years ago, Zlatan Ibrahimovic suggested Steven Gerrard should have tried his luck abroad.

"Although of course Liverpool is a big club, I would like to see Steven at a big international club," said the Swede.

Ashley Cole: British footballers who have played abroad

"I would like to see that also for England because it is very exciting when someone goes abroad and shows who he is in another competition. For me, a fantastic player can make the difference in every country wherever he plays."

The general lack of English players who venture overseas remains an anomaly in football's global marketplace.

At the 1990 World Cup, before changes in employment laws transformed the landscape and players began crossing borders in increasing numbers, one player from England's squad played his club football outside Britain - Chris Waddle in Marseille.

But the numbers since don't show much of an improvement.

In all the World Cups since then, only three squad members played for foreign clubs - David Beckham joined Real Madrid in 2003 - Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), who had lived most of his life abroad, and Fraser Forster when he played in the SPL. It is a paltry figure covering nearly 25 years.

There are a couple of stereotypical explanations - that the wages in the Premier League are attractive enough to keep talent in-house, and that English people are naturally less inclined to go through the personal tests required to succeed in a different country. But still.

England stars Jimmy Greaves (left), Trevor Francis (centre) and Paul Gascoigne spent some of their best years playing for AC Milan, Sampdoria and Lazio respectively

Even Italy, who were generally resistant to leaving their home league, now find themselves with greater numbers abroad, including their best young talent (Mario Balotelli, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile play in England, France and Germany).

Not so long ago Spanish players seemed to have a hoodoo when it came to trying out other European leagues but that feels like ancient history. England is the last place to appear reluctant to open its exit barrier.

When he was unveiled in Rome, Cole hinted that there is a prevailing fear factor. "Perhaps British players are a little afraid to move abroad," he said. "They are accustomed to British culture and for them it is convenient to stay at home.

"But
A couple of years ago, Zlatan Ibrahimovic suggested Steven Gerrard should have tried his luck afield. 

 " Although of path Liverpool is a big club, I would like to witness Steven at a big international cabaret, " say the Swede. 

 Ashley Cole: British footballers who have played abroad 

 " I would like to experience that also for England because it is very exciting when someone goes overseas and indicate who he is in another competition. For me, a fantastic player can make the difference in every state wherever he plays. " 

 The general lack of English players who guess overseas remains an anomaly in football's ball-shaped marketplace. 

 At the 1990 World Cup, before change in employment laws transformed the landscape and players began cross borders in increasing numbers, one player from England's squad played his club football outside Britain - Chris Waddle in Marseille. 

 But the numbers since don't show much of an improvement. 

 In all the World Cups since then, only three squad members played for foreign clubs - David Beckham joined Real Madrid in 2003 - Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), who had lived most of his animation abroad, and Fraser Forster when he played in the SPL. It is a paltry name report nearly 25 years. 

 There constitute a couple of stereotypical explanations - that the wages in the Premier League are attractive enough to keep endowment in - house, and that English people are naturally less inclined to go through the personal tests required to succeed in a different country. But still. 

 England stars Jimmy Greaves (left), Trevor Francis (centre) and Paul Gascoigne spend some of their best year playing for AC Milan, Sampdoria and Lazio respectively 

 Even Italy, who were generally resistant to leaving their home league, nowadays find themselves with greater numbers afield, including their best young talent (Mario Balotelli, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immobile free rein in England, France and Germany). 

 Not so long ago Spanish players seemed to have a hoodoo when it come to trying out other European league but that feels like ancient history. England is the last position to appear loath to open its exit barrier. 

 When he was unveiled in Rome, Cole hint that there is a prevailing fear factor. " possibly British players are a little afraid to move abroad, " he state. " They are accustomed to British culture and for them it is convenient to stay at home. 

 " But


A cluple of years ago, Zlatak Ibrahimovic suytested Steveh Gerrara should have tried his luck avroad.

"Qlthough of course Livdrpool is a big coub, M would like to see Stevcu at z big mnternational ckub," said tve Swede.

Ashley Culz: British footballers who have playeq abroac

"I would like to see ehat also for England because it is vedy exciuing when someone boes abroad and shows who je id in another compehition. For ne, a dantastic plxyer can make the diffgrence in every country wherever he pkays."

The gebeeal nack of Engoish ilayers who vcmture mverseax remains an akomalb in football's global marnetplace.

At the 1990 Wotld Cup, bexoxe changes in employmwnr lawv trdnsfuemea tge lzndscaoe end players began croswing borders in inctewwing numbers, kne plwyqr from England's squad played his club xoofball outside Britain - Xhris Waddle in Marsellle.

But tre numbers since don't show much of an improvement.

Hn alm tht Qorld Xuos since then, only three squad members played rot noreign clubs - Dcvid Beckham joimef Tgal Madrid in 2003 - Owen Hadgreaves (Bayern Mujich), whj had lived moft og his life abroad, and Frasee Forster whvn hw played in the SPP. It is a pcltry gigurr covering nearly 25 yearr.

Thede are a cokple of sfdreotypical explxnanionv - that ufe wages in the Pwemier Leegue cre attrxctife enotgh to keeo talctt in-house, and thah Engpivh people wre naturally less inclined to jp through thg parsmnal tescs reqmired to succeeq in a differeut countxy. But still.

Englznd stacs Jimmy Grewves (left), Treelr Francis (cxntre) and Pauo Gawcoigne rpent some of yheir besn vears plating for AC Milan, Xamkdkria and Lazio xtsptcrively

Even Itaky, dho wvre gqterally resivtang tu leavkng their hioe lrague, now find themsalvea with greater numnevs abroad, includigg their best young talent (Maril Balmteuli, Msrcj Verratti and Ciro Immobile pmay in Enhlakd, France and Gernany).

Not so lpng ago Spanish players seemed to have e hoodoo when it came jo trying out other Eorokean leagues uut thwt feels nike ancient history. England is the lsst place to appear rsluctatt to open its exit barrier.

When he was unveiled in Rome, Cole hinted that there is a 'rqvailing fezr fsctor. "Pzrhcps Brieish 'layers are a litnle afraid to move abroad," he saiv. "They are aecustomed to British culture sna for them it is convenient to stay af home.

"Buy
A couple of years ago, Zlatan Ibrahimovic Gerrard have tried luck abroad. "Although big I would like see Steven at big international club," said the Swede. Cole: British footballers who have played abroad "I would like to see that for England because it is very exciting when someone goes abroad and shows he in competition. me, a fantastic player can make the difference in every country wherever he plays." The general of English players who venture overseas remains an in football's global marketplace. the 1990 World Cup, before in laws transformed landscape players crossing borders in numbers, one player from England's squad played his club football outside Britain - Chris Waddle in Marseille. the numbers show much an In the World Cups only three squad members played for David Beckham joined Real Madrid in 2003 - Hargreaves (Bayern who had lived most of his abroad, and Fraser Forster when he played in SPL. It is a paltry figure covering nearly 25 years. There are a couple of - that the wages the Premier League attractive to talent and that people are naturally less inclined to go through the personal tests to succeed in a different country. But still. England stars (left), Francis (centre) and Gascoigne spent some of best playing for AC Milan, Lazio Even generally to their home league, now themselves with greater numbers abroad, their best young talent Ciro Immobile play in England, France and Germany). so long ago Spanish players seemed to a hoodoo when it came to trying out other European leagues but feels like England is the last place to appear reluctant open its exit barrier. he was unveiled in Rome, Cole hinted that there a fear factor. British players are little afraid to abroad," he said. accustomed to culture for convenient to stay at home. "But


A couple of years ago, Zlatan IbRahimovic sUggesTed steVeN GerRard Should have trieD His lUck abroad.

"Although of couRse LiVeRPool IS a Big clUb, I woulD LiKE To sEe stEveN aT A bIg intErnAtional Club," said thE SwEdE.

Ashley Cole: BRItIsh footbalLerS who have playEd aBroad

"I WoUld LIke to See That aLso for eNgland Because it Is VEry excITing wheN SOmEone Goes abroad and showS WhO He is in another cOmpetiTiON. FOR Me, a FanTastic playEr Can maKE the difFErENCE in EVery country whErever he plaYS."

ThE generAl LacK Of EnglIsh plAyERs wHo venture ovErseAs remains An anomALy in fooTBall's glObal maRkeTplAce.

AT ThE 1990 WOrlD CUP, beFOrE chANgeS in emploYmEnT laws TranSFORMed tHe lAndsCape aNd players begaN crOssiNG boRders In incReasInG numbErs, one PlayeR fRom England's squaD plaYed his cluB foOtBalL oUtsidE britaiN - ChRis waddle iN MarseiLLe.

BUt THE NuMbers since don't show MuCH Of An improvEment.

IN AlL tHE World CuPs SinCe thEN, Only tHree SQuAd memberS playeD FoR fOreign cLuBs - DaviD BEckHam JoineD real madrid In 2003 - Owen HaRgreaVEs (Bayern Munich), WHo had lived mosT Of HIS lIFe abRoaD, and Fraser FOrstER wheN he pLAyEd iN The SPl. It is A pALtRY figure covering nearLy 25 Years.

THere aRe a couple of stEreotypicaL EXPlanatioNs - thAT tHE wages in the PreMier LEague are atTRactive eNough To keep taLent in-houSE, And that ENglIsh PeoPle ARE nAturally less iNCLineD tO go throUgh The persOnaL teSts ReqUiRed to succEed in a diFfErEnT cOunTry. BuT Still.

EngLaNd sTaRs JImmy GREaves (lEft), TrEvor frAnCIs (cEntre) anD paUL gascOiGnE speNt sOmE of thEir bESt yEars plaYing for AC milAN, SamPdOrIa and LaZio respectiveLy

even Italy, wHo WerE generALLy resistAnt to leaving their home leAGue, now fInd ThemsElveS with greaTer NumberS abROad, incLuding Their BeSt yOUNg talENT (MAriO BAlotelli, MaRCO VeRrattI aNd CiRo ImmobIle play in England, FrANce And Germany).

Not So lOng aGO spAniSH pLAyeRs SEemED To have a hoodoo whEn it came to TrYInG out other EURopEaN leagueS but thaT feelS Like ancIent histoRy. England Is The lAST plAce to appeaR reluctaNt to open iTS exit BArRier.

WHen He was uNvEilEd in ROme, ColE HinTed thAt therE iS a prevAilinG fEar factoR. "Perhaps British players aRe a litTle afRaiD to move abRoaD," He sAid. "They arE accUstomed to BRitIsh CultuRe aND for tHem iT Is ConVEnienT to sTAy at home.

"BUT


A couple of years ago, Z latan Ibra himov icsug ge sted  Ste ven Gerrard sh o uldhave tried his luck ab road. 
" Alth o ug h ofcourseL iv e r poo lis  abi g  c lub,I w ould li ke to seeSte ve n at a big i n te rnationalclu b," said the  Sw ede.
As hle y  Cole : B ritis h foot b allers  who have  p l ayed a b road

" I wo uldlike to see thata ls o  for England b ecause  i t  i s ver y e xciting wh en  some o ne goes ab r o a d a n d shows who h e is in ano t her  compe ti tio n . Forme, a  f a nta stic player  can  make the  diffe r ence in every c ountry  wh ere verh epl ays ." 
Th e  g ene r allack ofEn gl ish p laye r s w ho v ent ureovers eas remains a n a noma l y i n foo tball 's g lo bal m arketp lace. 
At the 1990 Wor ld C up, befor e c ha nge sin em p loymen t l aws  transf ormed t h e l an d s c ap e and players bega nc r os sing bor ders i n  i nc r easing n um ber s, o n e  play er f r om  England 's squ a dpl ayed hi sclub f oo tba lloutsi d e Br itain- ChrisWaddl e  in Marseille. 
But the numb e rs s in c e do n't  show muchof a n  imp rove m en t.In al l the  W o rl d  Cups since then, o nl y thre e squ ad members pl ayed for f o r e ign club s -D av i d Beckham join ed Re al Madridi n 2003 -  Owen  Hargrea ves (Baye r n  Munich) , w hohad  li v e dmost of his l i f e ab ro ad, and  Fr aser Fo rst erwhe n h eplayed in  the SPL .It  i sa p altry figure c ov eri ng  ne arly2 5 year s.

T here  a re a c ouple o f  s t e reot yp ic al e xpl an ation s -t hat  the wa ges in th e P r emie rLe ague ar e attractiveen ough to ke ep  ta lent i n - house, a nd that English peoplea re natu ral ly le ss i nclined t o g o thro ugh the pe rsonal  test sreq u i red t o su cce ed  in a diff e r ent  coun tr y. B ut stil l.

England starsJ imm y Greaves (le ft) , Tr e v or  Fr a nc i s ( ce n tre ) and Paul Gascoi gne spentso m eof their b e stye ars pla ying fo r ACM ilan, S ampdoriaand Lazio  r espe c t ive ly

Even I taly, wh o were ge n erall y  r esist ant  to le av ing  thei r home lea gue,now fi nd  thems elves  w ith grea ter numbers abroad, inc luding  thei r b est young  ta l ent  (Mario B alot elli, Marc o V err attiand CiroImmo b il e p l ay in  Eng l and, Fran c eand G er many).

Not s o  lo ng ag o S p anishplay ers seemed to hav e  a hoodoo when  itc a metot ryin gout other Euro pea nl e agues bu tthat feelslike anc ie n t his tory.Englan d is th e la s t plac e to  ap pear relu cta nt to open  i ts exit b arri er .

Whe n he w a s un v e iled in Rome, Co le hi n t ed th a t t hereis  a prev a ilin g fear fac tor. "Perha ps Bri tish  play ers are  a  littl e a fr aid to mov e  abroad,"  he s aid. "T he y ar e a ccusto medt o  Brit ishcu ltu re and fo r th e mit isconv enien tto s tay at ho m e.

"But 


A couple_of years_ago, Zlatan Ibrahimovic suggested_Steven Gerrard_should_have tried_his_luck abroad.

"Although of_course Liverpool is_a big club, I_would like to_see_Steven at a big international club," said the Swede.

Ashley Cole: British footballers who have_played_abroad

"I would_like_to_see that also for England_because it is very exciting_when someone_goes abroad and shows who he is in_another_competition. For me,_a fantastic player can make the difference in every_country wherever he plays."

The general lack_of English players_who_venture_overseas remains an anomaly_in football's global marketplace.

At the 1990_World Cup, before changes in employment_laws transformed the landscape and players began_crossing borders in increasing numbers, one_player from England's squad played_his club_football outside Britain - Chris_Waddle in Marseille.

But_the numbers_since don't show_much of an improvement.

In all the_World Cups since_then, only three squad members played_for_foreign clubs -_David_Beckham_joined Real_Madrid in 2003_-_Owen Hargreaves_(Bayern_Munich), who had lived most of_his_life abroad, and Fraser Forster when he_played in the SPL._It_is a paltry figure_covering nearly 25 years.

There are_a couple of stereotypical explanations -_that the_wages in_the Premier League are attractive enough to keep talent in-house, and_that English people are naturally less_inclined to go through_the personal_tests_required to succeed_in_a different_country. But still.

England stars Jimmy Greaves (left),_Trevor Francis_(centre) and Paul Gascoigne spent some_of their best years_playing_for AC Milan, Sampdoria and Lazio_respectively

Even Italy, who were generally resistant_to leaving their home league,_now_find_themselves with greater numbers abroad,_including their best young talent (Mario_Balotelli, Marco Verratti_and Ciro Immobile play in England, France_and_Germany).

Not so long ago Spanish players_seemed_to have a hoodoo when it_came_to_trying out other European leagues_but that feels like ancient history._England is the last place to appear reluctant to_open its exit_barrier.

When he was unveiled in_Rome,_Cole_hinted that there is a prevailing fear factor. "Perhaps British_players are_a little afraid_to move abroad," he said. "They are accustomed to British_culture and for them it is convenient_to stay at home.

"But