Blackburn boss keen to emulate Arsenal’s youth policy

Allardyce wants to bring in promising youngsters, rather than spending big on star players.

“The team I had at Bolton was class but you couldn’t do that again,” he said. “You could not afford to buy the players.

“At Bolton I had Jay-Jay Okocha, Stelios Giannakopoulos, Ivan Campo, Kevin Davies and Bruno N’Gotty, who were all under 30.

“If you tried to get comparable players now they would cost £30million.

“Instead you have to try to follow Arsenal’s blueprint of getting expensive young players and developing them.

“Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas. What would Van Persie cost now? £25million?

“We have Phil Jones and Martin Olsson. We have also invested in Steven N’Zonzi. Hopefully that will be the success story of Blackburn Rovers.”

“It is becoming increasingly difficult to break into the top half of the table now,” Allardyce added.

“Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are now being threatened by Tottenham, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton.

“Then you also have to look at Sunderland’s spending.

“Everyone seems to have forgotten Roy Keane spent £86million up there and now Steve Bruce is trying to take it on by signing even better players.

“Stoke can spend as well so that is 10 clubs already spending big money and paying big wages.

“It just proves the whole world of football has changed dramatically.”