Carra fears foreign invasion

Carragher: Concerned

I don't know when the next Liverpool lad will break into our first-team.

Jamie Carragher
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Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has voiced his concerns about the increasing foreign influence in Premier League academies.

A long running debate has centred on the number of players from abroad plying their trade in the English top flight, with the likes of Uefa president Michel Platini suggesting the matter needs to be addressed.

But Carragher, 30, feels a more damaging aspect is the rise in the amount of youngsters from Europe and further afield, who are earning a place in domestic club academies.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is the last player to emerge from the Reds' local production line to go on to become a first-team regular, a drought of 10 years.

And Carragher - who also came through the ranks at Anfield - fears it will be a long time until his model, and that of his skipper, is replicated, telling the Sunday Times: "The foreign player issue has to be addressed. At all clubs.

"Don't get me wrong, good foreigners are great for the Premier League but what worries me is when we get foreign kids in at 16, 17.

Identity

"There has to be something to stop that, to help clubs keep their identities. I think about when I was that age. If I'd been 18 and Liverpool had brought the Spain Under 18 captain into my position it would have been deflating.

"I always thank my stars I came in just as the foreign invasion was starting. I wasn't Stevie (Gerrard) at 18. I was a very good player and would have always had the mental strength to take my opportunity, but I wonder whether I'd have been given it.

"I don't know when the next Liverpool lad will break into our first-team and I don't think the academy system is what it should be."

Carragher, who started his career at Liverpool as a trainee in 1994, has also reiterated his desire to see out his playing days on Merseyside.

Brilliant

"For someone to ask, 'Who did you play for?' and to be able to answer a single name, 'Liverpool', that would be brilliant. I don't think I'll ever leave," added Carragher, whose current contract runs until 2011.

Meanwhile, Carragher has poured praise on manager Rafa Benitez, despite admitting that the Spaniard's man-management skills can, at times, prove testing.

"Rafa is always on your back," Carragher continued. "Some players can't handle that. Me, I don't like it but I'm the sort of person who responds.

"You've always got that thing in the back of your mind with Rafa, 'Does he actually think I'm any good?' You're always wanting to prove yourself. He hasn't got much good to say about anyone, Rafa. . . even other managers.

"He's the person who always thinks he knows best for you - and is usually right. There are times you want to tell him to . . . but later you think, 'That was good for me'."