So how does this fit into the homegrown discussion? Well, Athletic Bilbao adopts the 'Cantera' policy, which is roughly translated into English as the 'Farming' policy. The criteria you have to fulfill to be eligible to play for this club - you must be from the Basque Country. That's right, one of the most successful teams in Spanish football recruits it's talent from a true homegrown talent pool. More extraordinary, not only do you have to be Spanish, but you also have to be Basque (exception being Aymeric Laporte, who is French-Basque), an area roughly the size of the East of England. For those more cynical readers, think back to the Europa League 2012 tournament. Bilbao knocked out arguably a full strength Manchester United team over two legs. Those of you who witnessed this would agree this success wasn't luck, as United were played off the park by the better team. Recent success is evidently there. Leave Spain and move to Germany. The team catching the eye and are turning heads in this year's UEFA Champions League is undoubtedly Borussia Dortmund. The team that played, and beat Real Madrid 2-1 comprised of ten Germans and only three foreign players. There is other evidence to indicate home nurtured talent works. There's no reason why a less extreme version of the Cantera policy could be adopted in the English Premier League. Our select pool would be similar, if not, larger than that of Spain based on population. Don't get me wrong, foreign players over the past has made the English Premier League the most entertaining league in the world, but reintroducing a quota will give a much more focused edge on homegrown talent. A more focused homegrown talent could reap rewards on the International stage. It if can work in Spain, it can work in England.
