Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola feels English footballers are too expensive.
"I would like to have English players, believe me, but they are so expensive, " the Spaniard was quoted as saying by BBC on Tuesday.
"I would like to play with English players.
When I was in Barcelona I liked to play with locals because they feel something special, but sometimes it is not possible. "
The five England players in City's first - team squad are John Stones, Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, 19 - year - old defender Tosin Adarabioyo and reserve goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Stones made City poorer by 47. 5 million pounds (around $57 million) when they signed him from Everton in August and he is one of the five English players in City's squad.
"That is why the club has worked for a long period with the academy, thinking about the next years, " the 46 - year - old said.
"With me or without me - - hopefully with me - - I would like to enjoy these four or five guys who are growing, and play with them. "
England goalkeeper Joe Hart is on a season - long loan at Serie A club Torino.
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