Why are English players struggling outside the Premier League? Capello weighs in

When Real Madrid announced a few days ago that Jude Bellingham became their member for 103 million euros (plus up to 30% of the deal in variables), a Google search with the keywords ‘English players in Real’ began in the UK. And there are only six of them altogether (Jude included), and only one made a real mark – David Beckham. Others were Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, Michael Owen and Jonathan Woodgate. Generally speaking, there are not so many English players who played abroad and were successful in the process, and the Spanish media were eager to find out why.

So Relevo contacted Fabio Capello, former Real Madrid and England coach, to give his perspective on the matter. And the Italian tactician summed it up: Spanish and Italian leagues are too technical and, in those leagues, the pressure is bigger than in the Premier League.

“The same happens in Italy, they have not succeeded much. It is a different football, a more technical football, not a race, and a little more tactical. They played very direct football, very physical. Now we see that, with City, it has changed a bit. The problem has been that, and then they also live without joy, they are not happy. They are not comfortable” said Capello.

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Given the example of David Becham, who played excellent for Real Madrid, their former coach said that he was an exception to the rule and gave a reason for Johnathan Woodgate’s failure in Madrid.

“Beckham was a different player, he really wanted to stay in Spain. He worked. He was an example for all. He was an extra example. He thought: ‘I’m at the most important club in the world and I work for them’. With Woodgate, it was an issue of injuries. If they are physically well, we can talk. But when there are physical problems, everything changes” explained Capello.

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But what is the main difference between British end European players? Strange enough, Capello thinks it is pressure, even thou England’s Premier League is the strongest in the world, and nobody can say that there is no pressure in that league. But the Italian tactician sees it differently.

“When they play there, they do it 100%. Later when they come out after the games… One possibility is this. I think, they have no pressure from the media. They have no pressure from the people. In Spain and Italy they do feel that pressure, because football is talked about every day and there is media exposure, you know. In England, if they have won, then they have won; and if they have lost, then they have lost. When the teams go down to Segunda, they come out with their hands raised in apology… It’s a different thing” says Capello.