I think you'll find Lozzyloz that it's due to natural wastage. Besides, with the principle of last atom in, first atom out, I think we have no need to panic. [edited for atrocious spelling - got my head mixed up with my tenet]
Since you've gone on a tangent I'll put in my tuppence worth. I have always thought the cricket way of doing it might be an idea in football: a limit of two international players per team so you get the benefit of some really great foreign sportsmen while ensuring that attention and investment has to be made in the homegrown youth.
There is some amazing, harrowing and heartfelt poetry from a guy who was in the Falklands. I can't remember his name off hand but I'm sure you could google it.