World Football: Frank Lampard's Potential Move Could Help England

When England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, there were plenty of excuses and reasons which were being thrown about for why they didn’t get there. The English national team didn’t have the most talented pool of players, but neither did teams like Turkey or Czech Republic, yet they still got through. 

One of the reasons why England didn’t qualify (and most pundits conveniently ignored) was because they didn’t have enough players playing abroad.

Today, with the globalization of most things, football has become a global game. Yet, football’s "founders" boast of only one player who currently plays abroad, and that is David Beckham who plays for LA Galaxy. 

England’s style of football has been too one-dimensional. They seem to do the same things in similar situations, and they’ve always had a culture of "strength over skill." Today, that has hit them hard.

So, when Frank Lampard was linked with a move away from Chelsea to Inter Milan, a breakthrough in English football occurred. He alone may not be able to make a huge difference, but it’s quite possible that players could have a more open mind about moving abroad if he becomes successful. 

Frank Lampard himself admitted once that England would benefit if more players from the squad played abroad.

"In the modern game, it (moving abroad) would definitely help us. Imagine if our national team had, say, four or five of the team who had traveled, who had learned a bit more of the Italian game or the Spanish game or whatever. We're all in our comfort zone here in the Premier League. Especially now that the money is the same or better as abroad, many think, 'Why take a chance?'

"In England we're very one-track. I was the same before I came to Chelsea. I would never leave Essex. I mean, going to Harrods was a big day out for me. And many of us had that mentality. But, if you went abroad and you dealt with a different language, different food, different culture, you'd be a better person for sure. And, let's face it, we English haven't been very good at it."

English players perhaps look at the likes of Michael Owen, and think that they can become half the players they are if they move abroad. But, they should also look former stars such as Kevin Keegan, who won titles at Hamburg in the 1980s. It is the mentality of the English players and the "comfort zone," as Lampard said, that is proving to be a problem for them.

People have blamed the influx of foreign players in the Premier League for the national team’s demise, but strangely, they haven’t looked at the other side of the coin. The English players have chosen an easier life and are staying put in their country rather than embarking on challenges like the foreigners who are lighting up the Premier League.

If Frank Lampard does move to Inter Milan, he will have every chance to become a better player. He might break into the England set-up and cement a starting spot for himself.

If he does become successful, it will not only help him, but also the English game. There could be more English players moving abroad and doing well for themselves while greatly improving England’s chances of winning some silverware in the future.

England have always been a team of substance with no style. Perhaps more exposure to football abroad will be what takes them closer towards the elusive trophies which they have been finding very difficult to win.