Young English Players don’t Always justify their price tag and Future Potential

In the last decade, the English football team has failed to win any major tournament in Europe despite producing promising youngsters.

During the last transfer window, British football saw a series of transfer moves that questioned the real price and worth of their footballers. English poker sites reported the move of Southampton FC left back Luke Shaw to be around the GBP 30m mark. Although he cost a fortune, his big summer move that took him to Manchester United hasn’t yielded any progress yet. Shaw, 19, has been plagued with a series of injuries that saw him left out of the Manchester United team squad in his first season.

The difference between English players and others on the continent is evident

An example that illustrates how British media tends to overhype their young players could also be noticed in the recent transfer move that saw Adam Lallana secure a move from Southampton FC to Liverpool FC for a fee of GBP 25m. Entering the peak of his career at the age of 26, Lallana had a wonderful 2013/2014 campaign. His performances during the season also guaranteed him a place in the England squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

• Raheem Sterling is worth around GBP 50 million
• Young English player’s value
• Tottenham value Harry Kane at least GBP 40 million

To contrast, German midfielder Toni Kroos also earned himself a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid during the 2014 transfer window. He was sold from FC Bayern for the price of GBP 24m. At the age of 24, Kroos played a vital role in the team that saw Germany win the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Considering that Kroos is 2 years younger and has many trophies to his name than Adam Lallana of England shows to an extent that some English players are quite overrated.

The real worth of wonder kid Raheem Sterling

Currently, Liverpool FC is in a battle to keep their star player Raheem Sterling. The 20-year-old player is valued at GBP 50m by Liverpool according to gaming news. Due to his magnificent performances in recent seasons, he has caught the eye of many clubs around the club. He scored a total of 7 goals and created 8 assists during the 2014/2015 Premier league season. Furthermore, mobile casinos reports the player is strongly linked with a move to Man City FC.

Compared to other similar players in the league arguments can be raised that the Liverpool playmaker and winger is not worth GBP 50m. In terms of chances created during the season’s campaign, Sterling had less assists created compared to other players like Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez who provided 8 assists and scored 16 league goals. The truth is England does not have a player they can consider world class except Wayne Rooney who has already passed his prime.

Sterling is a decent player, however he doesn’t have many tricks up his sleeves to command a fee of GBP 50m. Most of his best performances were under the hard working performance put in by Luis Suarez during his time at the Merseyside club. Since the departure of the Uruguayan, Sterling has failed to prove he can carry his team. It would be crazy to see if Manchester City would pay such a large amount for a player yet to be tested on a big stage in football.

Rio Ferdinand questions the value of young English players.

Ex-England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has also come out to question the real value of young English footballers in the transfer market nowadays. Commenting on break-out stars Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur, Ferdinand mentioned on his twitter page that “English players are so overpriced right now, it’s a joke.” The former Leeds United defender further added “Kane & Sterling have huge potential, but GBP 40m & 50m….Aguero GBP 38m & Sanchez 32m (SIC).”

English players are soooo overpriced right now it’s a joke! Kane & sterling have huge potential but 40m & 50m…aguero 38m & sanchez 32m!!!

— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 20, 2015

Ferdinand was once the world’s most expensive defender when he signed for Manchester United from Leeds United in 2002 for a price of GBP 29.1m. The United legend was however quick to state the obvious difference between his price tag and that of the current young British players. In a report from gambling news Ferdinand stated “look at the amount of PL and CL games I had played in before @ Man U move…oh & a World Cup! Don’t compare me please! There are others.”

The disadvantage of overhyping the price tag of these young players or a football player in general results in added pressure to perform well. If a player doesn’t reach the required expectation, they are considered a flop. British players like Andy Carol who underachieved at Liverpool, Kyle Walker and Jack Wilshere of Tottenham and Arsenal respectively, are among the list of players who have failed to justify their price tags and potential.