Is the Bundesliga becoming a sanctuary for young English players?

Many English youngsters are snubbing Premier League Clubs by choosing to fly overseas and play in Germany. For many people this is mind-boggling as the Premier League is the most exciting league in the world, so why would they choose to play in a league where only one team dominates?  

With Gareth Southgate being the  England manager that is dragging youth up into the first team, there is a possibility that the international side could benefit from English players developing overseas, as Premier League clubs are not giving them opportunities. 

The solution to England’s development problems have always been overseas. The Bundesliga is the first league to hold out a helping hand in aiding English players to reach their potential, and you can bet on a few more catching on in the coming years. 

Many people did not even notice the signing of Manchester City starlet Jadon Sancho for £10m by Dortmund last summer as the transfer window was dominated by the transfers of Neymar, Lukaku, and Morata. 

The 18-year old took the no.7 shirt when he arrived and has already shown glimpses of his potential. Despite being in and out of the squad due to injury, on the back end of the season, he was involved in 11 games and against Bayern Leverkusen, he scored his first goal for the club as well as notching two assists in the 4-0 thrashing. 

Sancho is not the only one who has taken the leap over to Germany as Reece Oxford left West Ham to join Borussia Monchengladbach, Ryan Kent joined Frieberg from Liverpool and Ademola Lookman rejected several opportunities from England to join RB Leipzig on loan in January from Everton. 

All of the above are under-20 which shows how highly these young players think of the German League and the opportunities it can provide for them. Lookman, for example, scored 5 goals in only 11 appearances during his loan spell with RB Leipzig and could be going back there in a permanent deal as the German club have submitted for a £14m bid for him. 

The Bundesliga has become aware that television deals have changed the philosophy of the Premier League who prefer marquee signings to temporarily soothe issues and bolster their ratings. They have pounced on the opportunity to snatch undeveloped talent who are sitting in their academies frustrated at the clubs who took them under their wing at a young age. 

The Germans don’t rush to make the next superstar, they take the pressure off them and allow them to develop at their own pace in a league the English tabloids are not interested in. The clubs believe in the player’s ability and hand them the tools needed for them to unleash it. 

The Germans have a knack for pitching English products and making them reach their potential as BMW bought out Mini Cooper and the former British car manufacturer sales has since rocketed under German leadership. 

Like the cars, the players who have been brave enough to gamble on the German question are now reaping the benefits, and don’t be surprised if Southgate chooses to watch a few Bundesliga games over the next season as I am sure that many more young players will be heading over to our old bittersweet rivals.