Yep Tinx is right the problem is at grass roots level, but academies attached to professional clubs are not the necessarily the right answer - it simply produces an elite that is always looking to drop players at various stages. There should be academies - and academy facilities - attached to all clubs right down to county league level, where the one philosophy is inclusive football, where skill, vision, understanding and determination are key, and that recognises that players develop at different rates.
The biggest problems we have at grass roots level is that our youngsters are playing 11 a side football too young (not enough time on the ball), on too big a pitches (looking to punt the ball up the pitch too much), we do not focus enough on ball skills enough in training (too many coaches move to quickly to playing football matches in training), kids should not be playing in leagues until they are at least 14 (don't worry about the losing this game, what have you learnt that you can use on the next), too much emphasis on strong big lads rather than a lad (or girl) who is comfortable on the ball and has vision - whatever their size. And most important of all is that the kids are enjoying playing competively as they do when they kick about with their mates - a lesson a lot of over competitive coaches (and indeed parents) could learn.
