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Everton boss Martinez supports B League plans

Everton boss Roberto Martinez is backing changes below the senior team structure.

Martinez is supportive of the B League proposal of FA chairman Greg Dyke.

"A big structural decision needs to be taken if the English game is to take itself to the next level.

"I know there has been a lot of talk lately about B teams and strategic loan partnerships, which I am in favour of, and what needs to be done to make things better, and it is good that this debate is happening now because it had been ignored for too long.

"The reality is that we are inferior to countries such as Spain when it comes to producing young talent because we haven't got a good enough competitive environment for youngsters from the age of 18 to 22. That's clear and the good thing now is everyone accepts it and recognises that we have to find a solution.

"Spain will always produce players because of the way of coaching and the way of playing, but also because of the B teams who allow youngsters to play much more competitive football than they do in this country.

"Will they be as good as the ones from the golden generation - the likes of Xavi Hernández and Sergio Busquets? It has to be said that will be very difficult because that generation came through certain experiences that allowed them to be as good as they are, and you cannot repeat those.

"So English football has a unique opportunity to become a real force in world football, but we really need to sort that competitive environment for the youngsters. Even without that, though, we still manage to produce young players who could fit into any other national team. That is incredible."

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