Football: BRITAIN'S IN BLUE; EVERTON LEGEND SHARP BACKS MOYES' SUMMER BUYS Moyes is right to look to these shores as he strengthens squad - Sharpe.

Byline: By CHRIS BEESLEY

WITH foreign players now outnumbering their domestic counterparts in the Premier League, Everton legend Graeme Sharp is delighted that manager David Moyes has bought British again to add Leighton Baines to his squad.

Kirkby-born Baines has returned to Merseyside from Wigan Athletic in a pounds 6mmove which makes him the most expensive defender in Everton's history.

But while some managers scoff at the price tags given to certain English players and rely heavily on cheaper foreign imports, fans liaison officer Sharp - whose Everton goals tally of 159 is second only to that of Dixie Dean - reckons fellow Glasweigian Moyes is going downthe correct route in his squad building.

He said: "Leighton Baines is a talented player and as well as being one of Wigan's better performers in recent years, he didwell for England's under-21s this summer.

"He's an up and coming player but also he's an English player.

"While some managers are going out buying foreigners, I think it's important to have an English base in your squad.

"It seems that Uefa are trying to bring in a ruling over the next few years in which a certain number of players in English teams would have to be English so it can only be good for us."

When the Premier League kicked off 15 years ago with Sharp then playing for another Evertonian Joe Royle at Oldham Athletic, there were only 11 overseas players lining up for the 22 clubs.

However, foreigners now out number the homegrown players in the top flight with 280 professionals from outside the UK and Ireland appearing in the Premier League last season while there were just 246 Englishmen.

Sharp said: "Football has changed, especially with the freedom of movement throughout Europe.

"Don't get me wrong, there is some fantastic foreign talent in the Premier League now but it's the likes of Trevor Brooking who will be worried in regards to the national side.

"While at senior level, England feel that they've got their best batch of players for a long time, there's not a lot underneath who will get the chance to step up.

"Where are all the young British kids coming through at Chelsea and Arsenal or even Liverpool to a lesser extent. They're going to get fed up if they don't get their chance."

Although Moyes has also recruited South African midfielder Steven Pienaar on loan from German club Borussia Dortmund this summer and is also chasing Porto's Argentine international Luis Gonzalez, Sharp is satisfied with the domestic core of talent at Goodison Park.

He said: "There's Tony Hibbert, Alan Stubbs, Joleon Lescott, Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Leon Osman, James Vaughan and Andrew Johnson and overall it's a youngish side.

"David has managed to bring down the average age of his squad having inherited a pool that was top heavy with older players from Walter Smith.

"The English lads are supplemented by the likes of Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo, Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill but most of them have got significant Premier League experience.

"People have asked why Everton didn't take a chance on David Nugent but he's not done it in the Premier League yet.

"We did get Tim Cahill three years ago and he's donewell butwhile sometimes you take a chance on other occasions you don't.

"Manchester City have spent an awful lot of money on lots of players I don't know so you've got to be careful.

"Some people complain that English talent is too expensive and with young Leighton costing pounds 6m they might have a point to a certain extent but at least he's proven at this level."

With an estimated pounds 350mspent by Premier League clubs on transfers this summer, Sharp believes that Moyes was right to bide his time in an inflated market place.

He said: "It's gone crazy but Everton needed quality not quantity and the manager has gone on record saying that.

"A couple of weeks ago there were lots of worried supporters at Everton ready topress the panic button but following the recent arrivals, things are looking a lot brighter.

"People asked 'Why aren't we going for Alan Smith or David Nugent?' but nobody knows the squad better than their manager.

"As well as Baines and Pienaar we've brought in Phil Jagielka who, like Phil Neville, is very versatile.

"With James Vaughan getting injured and James Beattie being sold to Sheffield United, there is a feeling in some quarters that we might need another striker but who's to say that we won't have one by the time the transfer window shuts although David seems to be tracking midfielder Gonzalez at the moment.

"The important thing is for there to be no distractions come theWigangame on Saturday.

"There have been other issues such as the stadium debate going on but we need to get behind the teamand get off to a good start."

The inaugural Graeme Sharp Charity Dinner takes place on Saturday, September 8, at Aintree Racecourse.

All proceeds from the event will go to Claire House, Alder Hey Children's Hospital and the Roy Castle Appeal and the evening will be hosted by Radio City's Simon Ross and the entertainment will be provided by Merseyside comedian SeanStyles and "Live fromVegas" star Pete Sands.

Sharp said: "Everton have done a lot of work with all three of these charities and obviously continue to do so.

"They're all great causes and I'm happy to put my name to the event for what will hopefully be a fantastic fundraiser for them all."

Tickets are pounds 100+Vat or pounds 1,000+Vat for a table of 10.

To join Graeme for what is sure to be an unforgettable evening, e-mail Valer [e-mail] or call 0151 282 9896.

CAPTION(S):

Leighton Baines battles with Andrew Johnson last season, but the pair will now be on the same side for the coming season; New recruits Steven Pienaar (left) and Phil Jagielka (right); Graham Sharpe