People wonder why the England squad is so abysmal in the finals of tournaments these days, but when England call ups are handed out so easily it should be no surprise.
Before I start this, it is not an anti Tottenham rant, it is an observation as to why the England team is in such a state, when the likes of Tottenham's Dele Alli get a call up after only 3 starts in the Premier league plus another 3 games as sub totaling only around 5 hours of football, it is no wonder we blow up on the big stage.
When I was a kid getting into the England squad meant something, a player had to have around 2 solid seasons in his club's first team, plus a plethora of U23 caps before he even got a sniff of the full squad and even when he got in it he was far from actually getting a full cap, he had to show the England manager that he had the attitude to succeed at International level before he would be trusted to pull on a shirt.
I appreciate that times have changed and the ability to use more than one sub as well as more friendly games etc, does give whoever is in charge of the England team more leeway to try out players, but surely the principal should be the same as before, players should have to truly earn the right to an England call up & cap, not just get one because they are the flavour of the month or playing for the right team.
Dele Alli or anyone of his age should be proven in the Premier League before they get a chance of a full England cap and i'm sorry I do not call 300 minutes football for Spurs being proven.
Not only does it mean we re risking throwing in players who are not ready, but we are sending out the wrong message to every other aspiring England player, those who ave paid their dues and are more deserving of a chance must feel frustrated and wonder just what the criteria is these days to get in the squad.
Of course Roy Hodgson will say it's all about assimilating young players into the squad etc, but I say that is hogwash, there is a level they need to achieve before they get that privilege and that level is not 300 minutes for Spurs.
Till we return to making England caps a true honour and something that needs to be strived for we will never return to our national side being a strong force again in World football.