Gary Cahill is in the only Englishman to play in the Premier League for Chelsea this season. The Blues turn to foreign-born players more than any of their competitors, and more than all but four teams in Europe.
Three teams from Cyprus and Galatasaray in Turkey are the only teams in Europe to play foreign-born players more than Chelsea. Apollon Limassol lead the chart with 98.6% of their minutes going to non-Cypriots. Gary Cahill played 9.6% of the Blues’ minutes, making him England’s only contribution at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal are the next Premier League team and the next team from a “big five” European league in the rankings from CIES Football Observatory. 84.1% of the Gunners’ minutes were by expatriates.
Eleven Premier League teams are among the top 100 in Europe for the percentage of minutes going to expatriates. This is the most of any of the big five leagues. In addition to the expected top-of-the-table clubs, Huddersfield, Stoke, Watford and Brighton and Hove Albion also appear on the list.
This will provide new fodder for conversation and accusation in light of England’s desultory performances in the final round of World Cup qualifiers. As pundits and former players scramble for a microphone to contribute their version of what went wrong, the Premier League has come into the cross-hairs. Former England international and Burnley manager Chris Waddle told the Daily Mail: “[T]he Premier League took off and killed the English team. We’re desperate for players.”
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This verdict is a bit dramatic, and perhaps overlooks a nuance in the effect of the Premier League on the Three Lions. England are still producing strong players, but they are not playing together at the major clubs. When they arrive for international duty, they do not have the rhythm and rapport necessary to compete against nations where the same platoons play together for club and country.
While Spain, Italy and Germany field players used to playing together at those countries’ mega-clubs, England’s players are distributed across the league. Aside from the Tottenham contingent – which appears to be Gareth Southgate’s foundation – few of them know each other beyond their brief times at St. George’s Park.
Gary Cahill played the (three) lions’ share of the English minutes for Chelsea last season. Only Cesar Azpilicueta was on the pitch more than Cahill. But the Blues still had John Terry, Nathaniel Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ola Aina for a smattering of appearances.
The only other Englishman on the first-team roster this season is the yet-to-be-seen Danny Drinkwater. He may contribute earlier than expected, with N’Golo Kante potentially out with injury. A few appearances by Drinkwater could bring Chelsea closer to Arsenal on CIES’ list.
Chelsea’s continuing injury issues may boost the fortunes of the English contingent via the academy. The Blues may have to reach back to Cobham to round out their squads, even though it is unlikely those young players would take the pitch. Except for Jake Clarke-Salter, Chelsea’s best domestic prospects are on loan across the Premier League.
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Gary Cahill, as per his usual, will continue to resolutely hold the line.