Why more English players should play abroad

Michael Owen spent time overseas at Real Madrid

There is a distinct lack of English players which make the bold step to go and play abroad to further their career. Alex Johnson ponders why this is.

Those few who do head to the continent tend to do so when they are in their prime, and most often join Europe's elite clubs for big fees. However, even for those at the top of their profession it does not always go as planned. For every David Beckham, who enjoyed a successful stint at Real Madrid and also played for the European giants AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain, unfortunately there is a Michael Owen or Jonathan Woodgate.

The sad truth is that not many English players head abroad and would prefer to stay in the comfort zone of the Premier League. Out of the England squad that woefully under-performed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, only Fraser Forster did not play in England - and you would hardly class Scotland as a far-flung foreign destination. However, even the former Celtic stopper has now arrived in the Premier League after joining Southampton.

More English players really should pluck up the courage to move abroad to play as it gives them a fantastic opportunity to develop. For starters, they can learn their trade in a country where the pressure maybe is not on them as much as it would be in England.

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The Premier League is one of the fastest-paced leagues in Europe, and that could be hampering young English players. Only the cream of the crop will prosper straight away, while too many players either don't get a chance or disappear quickly.

Perhaps it would be better for them to go abroad and develop in leagues where you get more time on the ball. This would help them become more comfortable with the ball at their feet and ultimately be a big boost to their career. Spending their formative years in a league where it is also not so physically demanding and an all-round more relaxed atmosphere can be a boost to a young player's development.

It also gives younger players the opportunity to learn about other cultures and to grow outside of the Premier League, which is overstocked with overseas players stifling the chances of young English talent. At a time where the top Premier League clubs are stock-piling talent - not just from England, but from across the globe - the opportunities are becoming smaller and smaller for young home-grown players. These players could learn some great life lessons by looking to the continent, or further afield, for their development.

The Premier League is a bit of a closed environment and a world of its own. As a result too many players are blinkered on getting into the first team here, rather than opening their mind to the possibilities of spending a year or two in Spain, Germany or Holland. True the financial rewards might not be so big abroad, but the footballing lessons they could learn will be beneficial in the long-term. First-team experience, different coaching styles and a broadening of horizons from the continent has to be better than warming the bench or a succession of short-term loans.

While the Premier League seems to want to push through the idea of 'B' teams in the lower leagues, surely the clubs should actively encourage their younger generation to possibly spend a year or two abroad. Give these players the opportunity to play in Europe and a chance to seize the opportunity to impress - this form of finishing school could ultimately help put the England national team in a stronger position in the coming years.