Michael Carrick says he would love to see more home grown players being given the opportunity to prove themselves in the top flight.
The Manchester United midfielder, who is in the England squad for their upcoming games against Lithuania and Italy, believes that if more young talent is given the chance to shine, it can only help the England team in the future.
England v Lithuania
European Qualifier
7.45pm, Friday 27 March
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Live on ITV1
Carrick, himself, was just shy of his 18th birthday when he made his senior debut for West Ham United in 1999 and he has since gone on to play over 450 league games for the Hammers, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, as well as 31 times for his country.
But while he would relish more home-grown players featuring regularly in the Premier League, he believes that it is an opportunity that needs to be earned and then the players given time to show their capabilities.
"We'd all love more home-grown, British players to get opportunities. It's difficult," said the 32-year-old.
"There are two sides to the argument – you've got to be good enough to get the chance in the first place but someone's got to give you that chance.
Michael Carrick before training at SGP
"I think we can sometimes expect too much of youngsters and we say they need to take their chance, but we need to give them a serious chance to show what they can do.
"That comes from the manager or the head coach, but obviously the more numbers that come through, it can only benefit the national team."
Carrick highlighted Harry Kane as a prime example after being asked about FA Chairman Greg Dyke's proposals to increase the number of home-grown players in Premier League first-team squads.
The Spurs striker, who is also in Roy Hodgson's England set-up this week, has netted 29 times for his club this season sending him to the top of the Premier League goalscoring chart.
His form this campaign earned him into a regular place at White Hart Lane and earn a subsequent call-up to the Three Lions senior side.
The Man Utd midfielder spoke to the press
"Someone like Harry is the perfect example of how we'd all like it to be," continued Carrick.
"Getting that chance, he's been out on loan, in and out, gets his chance and takes it and elevated himself to another level."
He added: "It doesn't always work like that. Plenty of times you look at young lads and think 'he's got a chance' but I doesn't quite work.
"You need someone who believes in them to give them a number of games – two, three, four five – to make them feel that's where they belong."
