Bundesliga pitches the place for English talent to grow

The football world's top destination is the Premier League. Extravagant salaries, steeped history and a global audience higher than any challenger means the rest of Europe struggles in comparison. So why don't more English players struggling for game time at home head abroad to play?

At 17-years old, Mandela Egbo has become Borussia Mönchengladbach's youngest foreign signing. He's one of two Englishman in the Bundesliga; the other moved under the radar last year. Then 16-year old Danny Collinge joined Stuttgart from MK Dons. Despite watching the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas move to England and become global stars, Egbo and Collinge left the bright lights and big money of home to plunge into a new life abroad, hoping to be the inspiration that English youngsters need.

“I aspire to inspire people,” Egbo told DW. “I've come out here to become a better player and to get some experience in a different way of life. Hopefully if I do that I can be an inspiration to others.”

An England youth international at four different levels, Egbo halted contract talks with Crystal Palace when he heard of interest from Borussia Park. In the England U18s team that Egbo features in, he is now the only player operating overseas. U17s centre back Collinge, who enjoys learning new languages, feels his game as a central defender has improved dramatically since moving to Germany. Fellow center back Taylor Moore, an England U18s talent, plays in France for Lens and is in contact with Collinge as the pair swap stories about life abroad.

The search for glory goes on

England's search for the answer to their international woes continues, with only pictures of the 1966 World Cup triumph to remember. The issues surrounding youth development have mounted whilst top clubs prefer to plow throw the cheque book rather than look to their academies for the next star. Nevertheless, few young English players have been willing to try it out in another country.

The 1970s and 1990s were the most popular eras for English players to leave home and experience foreign football. Kevin Keegan moved to Hamburg at 26-years-old in 1977 for a record fee, so was hardly in search of a league to develop in. The same could be said for Woodcock and his spells in Cologne. In the 1990s, the lure of Spain or Italy left Germany in the shadows, even though Germany won the World Cup in Italy in 1990. With the Berlin Wall falling a year earlier, the country was still coming to terms with its re-birth and football was not only far from a priority but also far from the minds of most developing English footballers. In recent years, those times have not changed. Chelsea youth product Michael Mancienne tried his hand at top-flight football in Germany but after three years of struggle at Hamburg, the 27-year-old returned home.

Now though, German football is one of the most respected and popular leagues. A fourth World Cup delivered last year after a 14 year-long revolution has seen the countries talent rise to the top. Now others want a piece of the action, as the likes of Roberto Firmino, Shinji Okazaki and Joselu have all been purchased by Premier League teams after nurturing their talent in the Bundesliga. Behind the scenes is where the unique work happens though. It is there where club ethos provides a much greater platform for young players to develop into first-team regulars.

Bedrock for rising stars

Teams fighting relegation often do not have the funds to buy - unlike in the Premier League where each team is rewarded with substantial funds after promotion - so the only viable option is to promote youth. Bayern aside, most sides in Germany would rather stay at home and search for talent, their own or others, while even mid-table teams in England have money to spend. It means that when a German side is facing a struggle, they will look to that 18-year-old scoring goals in the academy or a youngster from another club rather than spend 10 million on a foreign player. Not out of choice, but through necessity.

Take Freiburg as a prime example. Relegated last year – who played in Europe two years ago – the club has settled for the permanent signing of a loanee they acquired from mid-table Werder Bremen last season (Nils Petersen), whilst the club's best players have all departed. Fulham, as perhaps an English equivalent, was able to spend 15.5 million euros ($17 million) on a single player (Ross McCormack from Leeds United) upon their return to the second division. Even at their lowest, English clubs can still spend.

The opportunity is there for young talents in the Bundesliga. Despite being perceived as a one-team league that only sells to the bigger, better Premier League, the Bundesliga has become a hotspot for young talents to thrive. Success for Egbo and Collinge is unknown, but they have moved to a place which gives them the best chance of doing so. Speaking to "The Independent" newspaper in 1995, Woodcock said "It can take a while to re-adjust to being English." However, with the world now a much smaller place than before, the excuses are running out for young, talented Englishman.

“I want to learn my craft, experience new things, meet new friends and improve as a player and a person,” said Egbo. “We live on this earth to leave a legacy and that's what I want to do.” Refreshingly bold words from such a young man, but instead of being loaned out to third and fourth division teams, why not try the Bundesliga? After all, it is the home of the World Champions.