the future

[dachoosen1]

I like the idea of players coming through the academy and breaking into the first team but to be honest would be happy if we signed 17 year olds so they can become "home grown" cause of champ league rules.

 

[MSP]

We will be lucky if in 10 years, we have 3 youth players in the first team.

To me, that's best-case scenario. Barca's academy is the only one good enough to load the first team up with academy players. It will take decades to get there if we ever do.

Barca had hit a gem generation that won't ever happen again. 10 years ago they had more Dutch players in first team than they have home grown ones now. Their current situation is similar to rags 1992 generation. Decades might pass until they bring another Iniesta or Xavi, they probably never bring another Messi. Just like Rags never managed to bring new Scholes/Giggs/Beckham/Neville etc..

Single club that managed to make generations after generations of class players, and one Barcelona copied lot of stuff from is Ajax.

 

[Bluesiam]

We have already signed three foreign teens for the academy this summer. Would be nice to see us grab someone local like Danny Crowley but Arsenal got him and we seem to regularly miss out on top English prospects.

Arsenal have been playing 'beautiful football' for longer than any other team in the last decade and have arguably passed the rags for developing Academy players into First teamers. I don't think it will be long before we too can attract the top British talent. Remember, everything has been based on talk and money up to now. Yes, we won the League, but once we start getting CL success, the new Academy is unveiled and young players can see being part of a squad featuring young stars like Isco, I think City's Academy will become at least as attractive as Arsenal's.

 

[BobbyLazarus]

At what age will young players start at the academy? It seems to me that due to the FA and the appalling state of English coaching, English players will already have been through the moronic 'big and fast' filter long before they get old enough for the academy.

 

[Bilboblue]

Trying to produce our own players can only be a good thing. However, I'm not expecting us to bring through a world class player every year or so. Look how long it's been since the rags have brought a truly world class player through the ranks.
I am expecting the academy to be a pretty good source of income though. Bringing through players who aren't quite good enough for the first team but will bring in a decent fee. Hopefully we can unearth and nurture a gem or two every few years.

Phil Jones and Rafael were pretty recent to be fair


;o)

 

[AguerosSundayRoast]

Trying to produce our own players can only be a good thing. However, I'm not expecting us to bring through a world class player every year or so. Look how long it's been since the rags have brought a truly world class player through the ranks.
I am expecting the academy to be a pretty good source of income though. Bringing through players who aren't quite good enough for the first team but will bring in a decent fee. Hopefully we can unearth and nurture a gem or two every few years.

Phil Jones and Rafael were pretty recent to be fair


;o)

Phil Jones was bought from Blackburn wasn't he?

 

[jauganaut]

Trying to produce our own players can only be a good thing. However, I'm not expecting us to bring through a world class player every year or so. Look how long it's been since the rags have brought a truly world class player through the ranks.
I am expecting the academy to be a pretty good source of income though. Bringing through players who aren't quite good enough for the first team but will bring in a decent fee. Hopefully we can unearth and nurture a gem or two every few years.

Phil Jones and Rafael were pretty recent to be fair

;o)

You're taking the piss with listing Big Phil right?
What next, Smalling?

 

[yerwot?]

world class facilities need to be fed with kids of genuine potential, so the scouts have to be the best. The coaches will not be english imo, unless they have studied abroad, and they too will need to be the best that money can buy. Youth development has a very high drop-out factor due to the kids turning into young adults with all the attitude problems that brings. All the skill in the world is wasted on a lazy-arse or someone incapable of team-work skills, or simply lacks ambition. Some just burn out.
All we can hope for is that we turn out more 'stars' than our rivals, but it wont be easy and it wont be soon, imo of course

 

[Bill]

Trying to produce our own players can only be a good thing. However, I'm not expecting us to bring through a world class player every year or so. Look how long it's been since the rags have brought a truly world class player through the ranks.
I am expecting the academy to be a pretty good source of income though. Bringing through players who aren't quite good enough for the first team but will bring in a decent fee. Hopefully we can unearth and nurture a gem or two every few years.

Phil Jones and Rafael were pretty recent to be fair


;o)

Phil Jones was bought from Blackburn wasn't he?

No, just like Rooney, RVP and before them ronaldo he came through utd youth system.

 

[gfunkstylee]

Trying to produce our own players can only be a good thing. However, I'm not expecting us to bring through a world class player every year or so. Look how long it's been since the rags have brought a truly world class player through the ranks.
I am expecting the academy to be a pretty good source of income though. Bringing through players who aren't quite good enough for the first team but will bring in a decent fee. Hopefully we can unearth and nurture a gem or two every few years.

Phil Jones and Rafael were pretty recent to be fair

;o)

You're taking the piss with listing Big Phil right?
What next, Smalling?