But this is a worrying pattern for English football. Are our stars of the future getting the opportunities they need?

There are no greater football critics than the players themselves. To be recognized by your fellow professionals from across the world is a unique honor. While we respect the many other football awards that are handed out I think it is special to see these results, the very first ballot among the world's players.

The Football Association have always acted more as a referee than a governor. And the FA, aware the Premier League provide players for the England team, have always had too gentle a hand on the tiller. The result is that the Premier League are the tigers in the English football jungle everybody's scared of.

Football has to work really hard to put a smile on people's face and not to be so focused on the question of money. Everything is in danger of losing its soul if you're always going to sell out to the highest bidder.

He really loves the game of football. He's a student of the game, he really likes the intricacies and the tendencies. He just loves the game amongst the game. He's really into it. He's a team leader. He just has a true passion.

It sometimes puzzles me that so many people want to manage a football club, ... But fortunately that is the case.