Have you ever heard of Isco?
Exactly - the transition in formation is the last part of things and if Pep is to arrive it's exactly what he'd look to play. What they also do at youth level is move players around various positions to improve their versatility and develop their skills. They've used defensive midfielders in defence, left backs at centre back, strikers on the wing and that helps them be aware of positioning, movement and also be fully involved defensively as well. One of the major positives with Nacho is his willingness and eagerness to put a shift in. He doesn't stand still he works tirelessly to get on the ball and to try and get the ball back.
Barker and Roberts two of England's brightest wingers at youth level. Could one day see both of those with Sterling behind a striker. Unal one of the top rated strikers at youth level in Europe signed and loaned to gain experience. So many prospects. Garcia only promoted to EDS level during last season, excelled and awarded with a pre-season tour and lots of minutes with the first team. The very young Humphries also trusted to play, albeit in pre-season, against one of Europe's best sides despite his age.
There were slight murmurings about our Mancunian contingent in the EDS during the FA Youth Cup semi and final last season... the agenda against City is slowly starting to be revised as the media realise that our board want to see local lads and English players in the first team. It will save us a lot of money in the long term if our homegrown options are already in abundance at the club. Then, like Barca have done, you only have to spend big on the top talent that you need but haven't got at the club.
Our board have made it a clear strategy to develop youth based on the Ajax/Barca model. The investment in the academy is proof of this.
As much as Pellegrini will be largely left to it in relation to picking the team, each season there will be a full detailed review of things. Under FFP this has included key parts of the squad to improve and funding available and we've executed our strategy fairly well. Though people talk of high prices for Fernandinho/Mangala and how we could have signed Sanchez - we scored more than anyone again last season which confirms we were correct in investment in midfield and defence.
This season review has identified the need for homegrown players and to lower the age of the squad. It also follows a good season at youth level and we now have Nacho, Lopes and Denayer offering serious options at first team level, with even more to follow next time around. I think the strategy at left back is to give Angelino a chance following his loan with New York City. The club aren't afraid to take risks with young players and give them a chance, they've just been waiting for the right time. And that time is now coming. I've said on other threads this season our first team squad could include the likes of Zuculini, Delph, Sterling, De Bruyne, Aguero, Nacho, Bony, Denayer, Mangala, Hart, Lopes who all have 4-10+ seasons at the top level in them.
Something Arsenal, Chelsea and the rags have failed to do historically is replace their key players quickly. We're thinking about the future before it's happened. We're looking at who can be the next Kompany, Yaya, Silva and Aguero for us and things are very positive.
Don't know what happened to my first post but superb post fella the future's looking very bright. This academy is going to be the dog's gonads!Exactly - the transition in formation is the last part of things and if Pep is to arrive it's exactly what he'd look to play. What they also do at youth level is move players around various positions to improve their versatility and develop their skills. They've used defensive midfielders in defence, left backs at centre back, strikers on the wing and that helps them be aware of positioning, movement and also be fully involved defensively as well. One of the major positives with Nacho is his willingness and eagerness to put a shift in. He doesn't stand still he works tirelessly to get on the ball and to try and get the ball back.
Barker and Roberts two of England's brightest wingers at youth level. Could one day see both of those with Sterling behind a striker. Unal one of the top rated strikers at youth level in Europe signed and loaned to gain experience. So many prospects. Garcia only promoted to EDS level during last season, excelled and awarded with a pre-season tour and lots of minutes with the first team. The very young Humphries also trusted to play, albeit in pre-season, against one of Europe's best sides despite his age.
There were slight murmurings about our Mancunian contingent in the EDS during the FA Youth Cup semi and final last season... the agenda against City is slowly starting to be revised as the media realise that our board want to see local lads and English players in the first team. It will save us a lot of money in the long term if our homegrown options are already in abundance at the club. Then, like Barca have done, you only have to spend big on the top talent that you need but haven't got at the club.
I think Yaya had a minor injury and that's why he was taken off. Otherwise Nacho would've been on I think.