The truth is that England have always been average at best, and it's nothing to do with foreign players 'stealing jobs'.
Rubbish.
1970: Out at quarter finals due to a goalkeeping howler than Banksy would never have made.
1986: Cheated out of the tournament by an Argentinian munchkin.
1990: Took Germany all the way in semi final - probably would've won Cup if reached Final. Not to mention Germany's goal was down to the most jammiest of deflections off Parker, as well as other misfortunes such as the (scientifically proven) fact that rounded goalposts would've seen Waddle's shot go in instead of hit the post and go out (posts were squared in those days). Out on penalties of course.
(1992 - 1994 - clueless manager with some perplexing squad choices; didn't qualify for 1994 World Cup and took off top goalscorer when losing vs Sweden in 1992).
1996: Best team in the tournament and once again unlucky to go out to Germany (on penalties naturally).
1998: Took Argentina all the way to penalties despite being down to ten men. Would've gone through if ref. could do his job and a) recognise that what Beckham did was never a straight red and b) not disallow a perfectly good goal.
2004: Could well have won the tournament had Rooney stayed fit. Wouldn't be the first time one player has dragged his team to glory (Maradona anyone?) Out on penalties (see a pattern developing here?)
2006: Granted - very average until Portugal game where we matched them stride for stride only to lose on penalties. Again.
After 2006, there isn't really anything to write home about. OK - we took Italy to penalties but that was because they couldn't finish in that game, otherwise it would've been 5-0. And of course we eventually went out on penalties. Again.
I'd reword it and say that
recently England have been average at best but to say we've never risen above average is poppycock. Furthermore, I'd say one of the key reasons we haven't done better is we can't take penalties! To win a tournament, you're going to have to win one or two shootouts.
And regardless of what that article says, regardless of what anyone here says, 32% players in the Premiership being English cannot be a good thing for the national team. That's a fact however you spin it! What was it a few years back - 38%? How long before it's in the twenties, the tens, or even less? Something has to be done now and I'm glad that Greg Dyke recognises that fact.
Foreign players are clearly not the reason for the failings of the English national side but even if they were, personally it's a price I'm more than willing to pay if it means my team is packed with top-class talent, regardless of what their nationality is. I guess that's a lot easier to say when you couldn't care less about the England team, though.
Which is why his entire article can be dismissed as far as I'm concerned. He says himself that there's a smaller pool of England players to choose from now compared to before; that is a bad thing for a National side however you spin it!
Shame he won't be able to play in the Ukraine game due to a couple of really dumb refereeing decisions.
Can't remember if Bale does either. 
