By Alan Stokes
November 1 2002

The amount of money being paid to young talented players is astronomical. Is the fact that they are overpaid ruining not only their footballing careers but having a detrimental effect on the English game? The amount of money that a talented youngster can make out of the modern game at the highest level is astronomical. It far exceeds anything that the “average” working man can ever hope to earn in his entire lifetime. This is no fault of the players as it is the clubs/directors and chairman that offer these players pots of gold. However, is the amount of money being thrown at these youngsters ruining not only their own careers but also holding back the future of English football?

I read with interest an article by John Gregory in a national newspaper where he tells the story of Gareth Barry. Whilst he was in charge at the Villa he gave Barry his first big contract at the age of 18. The sum of £ 500,000 p.a. for an 18 year old footballer to me is quite staggering. However, he then goes on to say that Barry brought a Porsche with the money before he could even drive and brought his own house. Again, this is far removed from anything that can be achieved in the real world. Unfortunately, this 18 year old boy then went off the rails with his pot of gold being convicted for drink driving 3 days after passing his driving test.

Surely, this amount of money being given to a youngster has a detrimental effect on both the youngster as a person as well as reducing his potential to develop as a player. If someone is given this amount of cash then there is no incentive to go on and better themselves in their chosen profession as they are being given all of life’s luxuries/incentives all in one go.

I do worry about a few of the talented young players in the game. Take Michael Carrick and Joe Cole to name but a few. Talented players without doubt but in my view they are now just going through the motions. They set the world alight with their promising displays for their clubs and then stagnate. They seem to lack the drive, urgency and real desire to win at all costs which I put down to the fact they are all living in comfortable lifestyles. In my mind a man who does not have a comfort zone has a greater desire to achieve than someone who has.

It will be interesting to watch the development of Wayne Rooney. It is reported that his wages have been increased from £ 80 per week to £ 8000 per week. There is no way on this planet that a 16/17 year old can develop normally either personally or professionally with that kind of money thrown into his lap.

Gregory then goes on to say that it is his intention to protect his latest “starlet” Izale McLeod at Derby (probably because he can’t afford to pay him anyway). If he is doing this as a morale stand then I applaud him.

Unfortunately, because all of our talented youngsters are being handed these pop star lifestyles I fear that as a national side we will not progress. The players do not need to give their all to reach the ultimate footballing goal as their life is already made for them. They are too comfortable.