Why talented Swiss youngsters tend to join foreign clubs (too) early

At the IFA Forum Switzerland 2009, representatives of Swiss football debated the question of why talented Swiss youngsters tend to join foreign clubs (too) early. Liam Brady, Head of Youth Development at Arsenal FC, provided interesting insight. Liam, formerly a successful professional footballer playing for such clubs as Arsenal London, Juventus Turin or Inter Milan for a period of twenty years, transferred from Ireland to England at the age of fifteen himself, a move he considered crucial for his career. Two thirds of the Forum participants were convinced that talented Swiss youngsters transferred abroad too early. Appealing amounts of money, the dream of playing for a globally renowned football club, but also better training facilities were considered to be the main reasons for early transfers abroad. Advocates of an early transfer criticised Swiss clubs of preferring mediocre foreign players over their 18-to-21-year-olds and failing to give the latter sufficient opportunity to play in professional teams. The roundtable forum is a gathering of foreign experts and decision-makers in Swiss football.