Exclusive – Carr warns against calling up non-nationals for England duty

Tony Carr, West Ham’s director of youth development, believes England should not be searching to call up non-national players to the Three Lions first-team, and should instead look to the country’s next generation of stars.

Theories that Manchester United teenager Adnan Januzaj could eventually represent England through residency hit the back pages after the 18-year-old netted two goals for the Red Devils in their 2-1 victory over Sunderland.

The Belgium-born winger also has ties to Kosovo and Albania but is yet to earn a full cap at international level, so would be available to Roy Hodgson if he remains without an appearance by 2018.

But Carr, who was responsible for bringing through a large number of England regulars including Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and John Terry, believes England should be focusing on the nation’s up-and-coming young talent to form the Three Lions team of the future.

“It’s not something I would advocate, to actively search these players out,” said Carr in regards to calling up non-English players.

England have underperformed in recent years despite boasting one of their strongest and most well-balanced squads.

And asked if the FA’s aim to offer qualify coaching to the new crop of youngsters will ensure the Three Lions are competing at the top within the next decade, Corr replied:

“That’s a big ask, the pool of players is smaller than ten or 15 years ago, so consequently there’s going to be less top talented players.

“But providing they’re at the right club with the right environment around them they can develop into top players later on.

“You have to be patient with the young players today because they do develop later and they don’t all develop at the same rate.”