体坛英语新闻：Can the Spanish football model be repeated in England?

Meanwhile in the more temperate north, Athletic Club Bilbao and Osasuna have seem powerful players such as Fernando Llorente, Fernando Amorebieta and Javi Martinez come onto the scene.

"I don't think we can talk about a Spanish 'system' as such. The (Spanish Football Federation) RFEF is not that rigid or organized. Maybe we can talk about the 'system' more in terms of the contribution from Barcelona."

"Spain's football culture, attitude and approach is not the same everywhere. Certain key aspects can be imposed, and may be beneficial (a more technical, small-sided approach, less obsession with pace and power). But a simple copy is probably unrealistic," explained Lowe.

"Different pitches, attitudes, history, even climate all have an impact. You have to take into account the different structure of the two states. Spain is consciously federal in terms of identity, projects and funding. Meanwhile the clubs decide their own approach to youth development. There isn't a centralized structure or single approach," he told Xinhua.

Ball agreed with this appreciation of the situation.

"What we saw in the World Cup is a Barcelona rather than a Spanish approach with the two sides keeping the ball and not being afraid to pass it backwards. The way you play and your style of play depends on the players you have available and the FA should know that you can' t adopt the Spanish system wholesale, that wouldn' t work as you have to take geographical factors into account," he said.

Lowe also highlighted the fact that Spain' s national team has only become successful in very recent times.

"It's also worth adding that until the last 3 years, Spain's international record was largely the same as England's. This is an exceptional generation of players that has a very clear footballing identity," he said, before adding that Spain has also reaped the rewards of players such as Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabrigas, all playing abroad, which has given an extra dimension to their game. "It has given them a broader perspective," explained Lowe.

Ironically this broader perspective has come thanks to them playing in the English Premier League, which possibly goes to show that although the English can certainly learn from the Spanish, Spain has also learned from England.