If Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger had got his way would Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have ever had a chance? 

In the case of Angel di Maria, Arsene Wenger’s logic made perfect sense. He recalled Arsenal’s scouts identifying the player as a great talent in 2005 at the age of 17. The problem was that, still three years from his full international debut for Argentina, Di Maria could not get a work permit in the United Kingdom.

So he left his Argentine club, Rosario Central, and signed for Benfica. From there he joined Real Madrid. And so, Wenger concluded triumphantly, by the time Di Maria finally came to England, aged 26, it cost Manchester United £58.7million and the money went to his obscenely wealthy employers at Real Madrid. As an argument for complete freedom of movement within football, it sounded very persuasive.

Wenger did, however, omit one salient detail. On January 20, 2006, Arsenal signed a young wide player from Southampton, two months short of his 17th birthday. Theo Walcott. So if, a few months earlier, they had already taken a player of a similar age, in a similar position, from Argentina, would that have happened? 


Arsene Wenger poses with 16-year-old Theo Walcott after signing the young winger on January 20, 2006

Arsene Wenger poses with 16-year-old Theo Walcott after signing the young winger on January 20, 2006

Argentina international Angel di Maria joined Manchester United in a £58.7million deal during the summer

Argentina international Angel di Maria joined Manchester United in a £58.7million deal during the summer

Di Maria left Rosario Central in his homeland for Benfica (right) before joining Spanish giants Real Madrid (left)

Wenger signed young Gunners Walcott (left) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton as teenagers

But for difficulties with work permits, Arsenal may not have signed Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Arsenal boss  Wenger has recently argued that work permits for foreign players should be scrapped

Arsenal boss Wenger has recently argued that work permits for foreign players should be scrapped

Say it would. Then, certainly, by the time those players were in their early twenties, Arsenal would have been well stocked in the wide forward position, and probably wouldn’t have been in need of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who arrived on August 8, 2011.

Now, it can be argued that neither Walcott nor Oxlade-Chamberlain are as gifted as Di Maria now. Yet at 16 or 17? Who knows where Walcott could have gone at that age? And isn’t it correct that we should prioritise our own gifted youngsters and give them the best opportunity the sport can offer? Artificial protection, Wenger claims.

It isn’t. It is affording this country’s youth footballers the same right as other professions not to be undercut or crowded out by cheaper foreign labour markets. It is about a football club doing its duty to the community by providing employment opportunities, too.

‘There are two ways to approach academies,’ Wenger said. ‘The first is to close completely the borders of the country and you play only with English players…’ 

Oxlade-Chamberlain arrived joined Arsenal in August 2011 from Southampton (left) as a 17-year-old

Walcott celebrates after scoring during Arsenal's 3-2 FA Cup victory against Brighton on Sunday afternoon

Walcott celebrates after scoring during Arsenal's 3-2 FA Cup victory against Brighton on Sunday afternoon

Oxlade-Chamberlain, pictured against West Ham in December, has made over 100 appearances for Arsenal

Oxlade-Chamberlain, pictured against West Ham in December, has made over 100 appearances for Arsenal

But that isn’t true, either. Nobody advocates isolationism as the way forward for English football. European Union employment laws wouldn’t allow it to begin with and even if Great Britain left the EU there would be few supporters of a policy that turned the Premier League into an extension of Royston Vasey, full of local clubs for local people.

We embrace the cosmopolitan nature of our domestic game, even when we suspect it might harm the prospects of the national team. Most fans believe that if you’re good enough you’ll get in, and English footballers have to take their chances against the best in the world.

Just not at 16. If the way into the first team is blocked by Di Maria, fair enough. You’ve got to get better, son. But if the way to the youth team, the first rung on the ladder is also occupied, then what chance is there?

British kids need to show they can be good enough and, if they are not, that’s when Di Maria comes in. Yet teenage talent is so fragile, so febrile, how can we close the door on a generation having barely given them a chance? 

Oxlade-Chamberlain has made 20 appearances for England while Theo Walcott has 36 caps for his country

English players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott and Calum Chambers may not have been signed for Arsenal had work permits been scrapped

English players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott and Calum Chambers may not have been signed for Arsenal had work permits been scrapped

Wenger is vexed by the issue of work permits because he wants to buy a Brazilian centre back, Gabriel Paulista, from Villarreal but fears the move could be thwarted by UK employment law. The current criteria state that a non-EU player must have featured in 75 per cent of his country’s internationals in the last two years, but Paulista has never represented Brazil at any level, even junior.

Exceptions are often made — for players from countries that have a surplus of talent and limited international opportunity, like Brazil, for instance — so Arsenal still have a chance, but the Football Association are pushing for a further rule change in the summer.

Players will only need to have appeared in 30 per cent of internationals over the last two years but applicants must be from a FIFA top 50 ranked nation. Signings over £10m would be exempt but there would be limited grounds for appeal. 

Arsenal have agreed a deal for Gabriel Paulista but the move could still be thwarted by UK employment law

Arsenal have agreed a deal for Gabriel Paulista but the move could still be thwarted by UK employment law

Wenger is unhappy with this but his Di Maria argument does not stand up under scrutiny so he seeks to define the margins of debate in contrived extremes. All in or all out are not the only options. There is a middle ground, compliant with EU law but also establishing a small degree of protection to prevent our football clubs becoming rootless multinationals.

In Wenger’s free labour market — and it is interesting he does not advocate laissez-faire on other issues, such as owner investment — there is a danger the local community, or the British people generally, would become no more than passive consumers. Buy a shirt, buy a ticket — but don’t ever expect to feel the affinity that comes from watching one of your own.

And, yes, with our limitations we may miss out on the odd teenage protege. Yet the real thrill comes from seeing the teenage Wayne Rooney or Harry Kane, from common ground and a feeling of social identification.

We lose that at our peril and Paulista does not compensate.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Tottenham striker Harry Kane both made the grade at a young age

 

PLAYERS HIT AS TAXMAN MOVES THE GOALPOSTS

More than a hundred footballers are facing financial ruin due to changes in tax law.

Alteration of relief on certain investment schemes have resulted in demands from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

As many of those affected are retired, it will hit them particularly hard.

Footballers do not tend to be wizards at accountancy and rely almost exclusively on professional guidance and advice. One hopes the agents and consultants who got them into this mess are as eager to get them out of it.

 

For the courtside interviewer to implore Eugenie Bouchard to give him a twirl at the Australian Open was rightly condemned as horrible and sexist. But as one who recalls the days when the teatime entertainment at Ashes Test matches was a game of Chase the Sheila, it is disheartening to note that Ian Cohen’s request for a pirouette may actually constitute growing enlightenment.

Eugeie Bouchard was asked to twirl by interviewer Ian Cohen and she looked embarrassed at the request

Eugeie Bouchard was asked to twirl by interviewer Ian Cohen and she looked embarrassed at the request

Bouchard did oblige, later commenting that it was 'unexpected' that an 'old guy' asked her to twirl on-court

Bouchard did oblige, later commenting that it was 'unexpected' that an 'old guy' asked her to twirl on-court

Bouchard laughed as she twirled for the interviewer to show off her outfit after her straight-sets victory

Bouchard laughed as she twirled for the interviewer to show off her outfit after her straight-sets victory

Bouchard smiles to the crowd after completing her comfortable win over Kiki Bertens on Wednesday

Bouchard smiles to the crowd after completing her comfortable win over Kiki Bertens on Wednesday

 

Manchester United’s backing for Louis van Gaal has to be more than financial. He is believed to be clashing with senior executives over this summer’s pre-season tour. United are heading to America again, but Van Gaal wants the trip to be limited to one coast to avoid exhausting flight schedules.

It is a battle he must win. There is no point giving him the funds to revive United if his players are driven into the ground. Within reason, the manager has to be allowed to control the football. Even Arsene Wenger has conceded that Arsenal need to undertake lucrative tours to remain financially competitive, but there are compromises on both sides.

Van Gaal has to be given his best shot at winning the league next season, with no excuses about tiredness. Not least because, if he can earn a top-four spot, Champions League commitments will make his second season considerably more demanding than the first.

Louis van Gaal will have a more demanding season next year if Man United qualify for the Champions League

Louis van Gaal will have a more demanding season next year if Man United qualify for the Champions League

 

TV BOSSES STILL UNITED FANS

For anyone who revels in the spirit and traditions of English football, the most exciting 15 minutes of the season took place between 4.40pm and 4.55pm on Saturday.

In that brief period, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur all exited the FA Cup at home to lower-ranked opposition. The results at Stamford Bridge and the Etihad Stadium, in particular, were little short of astonishing.

Over on Sky, the great Jeff Stelling at the helm, the studio was in uproar.

Bradford celebrate  following their shock  victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday at Stamford Bridge

Bradford celebrate following their shock victory over Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday at Stamford Bridge

Championship outfit Middlesbrough celebrate after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round

Championship outfit Middlesbrough celebrate after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup fourth round

However... as of 4.55pm on Saturday, the teams confirmed in the FA Cup fifth round draw were Blackburn Rovers, West Bromwich Albion, Reading, Bradford City, Derby County, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Leicester City, and that loud bang was the sound of television executives blowing their brains out.

The winners of the drawn matches between Fulham and Sunderland and Preston North End and Sheffield United were not expected to greatly change the mood, either.

The men in front of camera might glory in the romance and magic of the FA Cup, but the ones signing the cheques know the truth.

As much as we all love giant-killings, on the day and in the moment, if Palace versus Reading ends up as one of the glamour ties in the next round it will play about as well in the front rooms of the nation as a leadership debate between six empty chairs and Plaid Cymru.

The TV boys will be on their knees praying Manchester United do the job in their replay against Cambridge United, and that Liverpool win at Bolton Wanderers.

We are often reminded this country loves an underdog, and that may be true — but the viewing figures suggest that, deep down, we like Manchester United to play Liverpool even more.

Viewing figures suggest the public much prefer Man United taking on Liverpool than an FA Cup underdog

Viewing figures suggest the public much prefer Man United taking on Liverpool than an FA Cup underdog

 

AND WHILE WE'RE AT IT

Sports minister Helen Grant is not in favour of the Rooney Rule. ‘I don’t like quotas,’ she said. ‘I am in favour of equality of opportunity and we have to get to a situation where there are opportunities for all.’ Grant is living proof that such opportunities exist.

Last week, this column noted the speech made by Labour MP Sharon Hodgson, in which she accused football of disrespecting Remembrance Sunday — while overlooking all the others sports that also take place on that day, including tennis, horse racing and rugby union.

Hodgson addressed her remarks to Grant, who indulged her with a lame response rather than a firm, informed rebuttal.

Yet who tweeted about Roger Federer’s ‘great performance’ in defeating Kei Nishikori at the ATP Finals on Remembrance Sunday, November 9, last year? And who then tweeted a good luck message to Andy Murray, who was playing at the O2 Arena later that day?

Truly, Grant’s rise to power is confirmation that opportunity really does exist for all; and, sometimes, regardless of talent.

Sports Minister Helen Grant is not in favour of the Rooney Rule but is living proof opportunities exist for all

Sports Minister Helen Grant is not in favour of the Rooney Rule but is living proof opportunities exist for all

 

IT'S HARD TO FEEL FOR FLOP MANGALA 

Martin Demichelis has sympathy for his Manchester City team-mate Eliaquim Mangala, British football’s most expensive defender, who is struggling to adapt to life in the Premier League. 

He compares the move to his own from River Plate to Bayern Munich at the same age, 24. ‘Obviously, he has things to learn, as I did,’ he said. 

The difference? Demichelis to Munich in 2003 cost £3.36million. Mangala to Manchester City last summer cost £40m. For that you should get a lot more than promise.

Martin Demichelis (left) has sympathy for team-mate Eliaquim Mangala who has struggled at Manchester City

 

There are some who think, counter-intuitively, that Gary Cahill is the real star turn in Chelsea’s defence. 

After Saturday’s result, with Bradford City’s four goals coolly observed by John Terry from the bench, one trusts we will not have to indulge this nonsense much longer. 

Terry is the best defender at Stamford Bridge, his influence on his partner is crucial and Chelsea continue delaying his contract at their peril.

Chelsea captian John Terry's influence on centre back partner Gary Cahill is crucial at Stamford Bridge

 

JORDAN IS NO STEVIE G

It is likely that Jordan Henderson will captain Liverpool when Steven Gerrard leaves at the end of this season. A tunnel tear-up with Diego Costa has been advanced as evidence of his new-found steel.

‘If he becomes captain he will carry it with great honour,’ said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers. He is certainly much improved, yet Henderson is sorely lacking a quality that can never be taken for granted.

He has three goals this season. Gerrard, in his comparative dotage, has nine. Henderson has just 16 goals in his entire Liverpool career, dating back to 2011. In that same period, Gerrard has 42.

It is likely Jordan Henderson (left) will captain Liverpool when Steven Gerrard leaves at the end of this season

It is likely Jordan Henderson (left) will captain Liverpool when Steven Gerrard leaves at the end of this season

Henderson captained Liverpool during the Reds' 0-0 draw with Bolton at Anfield in the FA Cup on Saturday

Henderson captained Liverpool during the Reds' 0-0 draw with Bolton at Anfield in the FA Cup on Saturday

Both are central midfielders, both regarded as leaders within the group. Yet time and again, Gerrard has used his position and influence to conjure a vital result for his club. Henderson is yet to prove he can do that.

Saturday’s draw with Bolton Wanderers was another example. Gerrard was rested, Liverpool drew a blank. Nobody filled his shoes, certainly not Henderson.

Let’s face it, Liverpool wouldn’t even have made it this far without Gerrard. Had Rodgers rested him against AFC Wimbledon, they would probably have fallen at the first. When Gerrard is on the pitch, one always feels Liverpool have a chance.

Gerrard scored twice as Liverpool defeated Wimbledon in the third round of the FA Cup earlier this month

Gerrard scored twice as Liverpool defeated Wimbledon in the third round of the FA Cup earlier this month

Anyone can have a row with Diego Costa. If we don’t hear about too many tunnel confrontations involving Gerrard it is probably because we are too busy celebrating his brilliance on the pitch, or one of his match-winning goals.

Gerrard’s captaincy is about so much more than pulling on an armband.

He leads by example, but also by deed.