91Èȱ¬

One of the major theories put forward by those trying to explain at a major championships is the lack of what the sport refers to as "access opportunities" for the country's best young players.

There is plenty of evidence to support such a view because it is clear the country is producing some good footballing talent. Inspired by Ipswich Town's teenage prodigy , this summer.

Last week, I visited Normandy to cover the build-up to the Under-19 Euros, where . If they beat the Netherlands in Bayeux on Wednesday, they will reach the semi-finals.

The problem, as ever, is what happens to these talented young players once they return to their clubs. Take striker , for example.

On Sunday, he scored twice in a 3-2 win against Austria in Flers but then discovered his club, West Ham, had signed two foreigners - . Nouble could have been forgiven for wondering where his first-team opportunities will come from in the Premier League this season.

Read the rest of this entry