Terry - Cup serves a purpose

Chelsea skipper says future of English football is bright

By James Pearson   Last updated: 26th September 2008

Terry - Cup serves a purpose

Terry: Future is bright

I love it when the young English guys come over and train and really make an impact in training.

John Terry
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England and Chelsea captain John Terry believes the Carling Cup provides a great platform for youngsters to gain vital first-team experience.

Although some are critical of England's second cup competition, with teams opting to give fringe and youth players a chance, Terry is taking a positive view on their approach.

The England skipper thinks that, following this week's round of Carling Cup matches, the future of English football is bright due to the success of teams like Arsenal

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger often utilises the cup to give his budding youngsters the chance to take centre stage, meaning the likes of Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Gavin Hoyte and Mark Randall were all thrust into the limelight.

Bright future

"I think it's great for English football. We're seeing first of all Arsene Wenger having the confidence in putting his young players out," he told Sky Sports News.

"Our reserves went to Arsenal with a lot of English players a couple weeks of ago and beat them 2-1 or 2-0 I think. Then that side goes out and beats Sheffield United 6-0.

"So we've got a lot of good youngsters at our place as well and I'm sure other teams have. It's just that Mr Wenger has really got the confidence to put them out. It's a great advert for English football."

Impact in training

Many of the big four often splash the cash on big-name foreign imports to strengthen their squads, but Terry loves nothing more than to see an English-born youngster impress in training and then given their chance in the Carling Cup.

"I love it when the young English guys come over and train and really make an impact in training," he continued. "Youngsters who don't stay in their shell and take the game upon themselves, we all like to see it.

"If the talent's out there managers will have the confidence to put them in their squads and give them their chance. The Carling Cup is a great chance for teams and young players to do that."