EPL clubs have agreed to work with a commission set up by the FA "to improve the development of players available to England," according to James Riach of the London GUARDIAN. The backing was secured at Thursday's meeting of Premier League shareholders in London, which was attended by FA Chair Greg Dyke after he claimed in his opening speech in the role last week that "English football is a tanker that needs turning." Despite antagonism between the FA and the Premier League since the division's inception in '92, all 20 club chairmen and the league's board agreed to work with the FA to "contribute their expertise, knowledge and understanding of the issues and challenges in regard to producing England-qualified talent." Less than 10% of the £630M ($996M) spent on new signings during the summer transfer window went on English players and Dyke has invited the Football League, Professional Footballers' Association and League Managers Association as well to join the commission, "which could be established this month" (GUARDIAN, 9/12). REUTERS' Keith Weir reported the EPL is the richest in the world "but there is frustration among fans about its clubs' failure to produce as many good young players as rivals do in countries like Germany, Spain and the Netherlands." Critics argue that "the financial rewards of the Premier League encourage teams to buy in foreign players as a short cut to ensure survival or success." The Premier League is investing £340M ($538M) "to try to improve its academies" (REUTERS, 9/12).
