Barcelona chairman Joan Laporta has distanced his club’s policy from Real Madrid’s transfer frenzy, and I must say the Catalonian is right: the Blaugranas are all about developing homegrown talent, whereas the Merengues break transfer records.
In an ideal world, quota regulation would help local players show themselves in their own country and would help the European leagues retain their identity.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against foreigners travelling all over the world to work. I’m a Frenchman in London and understand how rich you feel when you get to learn new languages and experience new cultures.
But I am sure that many of you agree when I say that I would like more English players to shine in The Premier League, and more Spanish players to wear the prestigious Real Madrid shirt.
Champions League winners Barcelona should be proud of their policy, as they have educated many players that have made the step to elite football – Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Bojan Krkic, Giovani dos Santos, Gerard Pique, Marc Crosas, Fran Merida...
Madrid also have a brilliant Academy, but what do they do when their youngsters start to show potential? They send them on loan and use them in swap deals.
For that reason Madrid Academy boss Michel recently resigned. And he will not be surprised to see that the Merengues are possibly on the brink of selling the prolific Alvaro Negredo to Valencia in order to secure the arrival of David Villa.
When Barca win a treble with half of their team educated at the club, what do Real do to challenge them and restore their domination of Spanish football? They break transfer records for Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Both can and will certainly work, but in an ideal world, the Catalonians are the winners.