[talkSAFT]

What you say is probably right, Danny, and most Prem Clubs are probably all saying the same (including Chelsea, the Child-Abductors).
What IS the point of rearing your own Youngsters? Not only do you need Coaching Staff galore + Parent-enticement money, but you also need 2 or 3 pitches, which could otherwise be sold off to Property Developers. Then you have to take the chance of blooding them into the 1st team, or loaning-out to lower Leagues....and when they come back, they're out of contract!
Why not just poach finished articles from abroad?

I don't know what the answer is, but the Issy Brown case should be looked at by the FA as a very bad example of why English Clubs are not rearing enough homegrown players. I'm sure Football League Rules could be drawn up whereby each English Club must field at least (say) 6 homegrown players - or does this contravene any International Laws of employment. Does anyone know?