The Official EDS and Academy Thread 2013/14

[BlueDejong]

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/citytv/Match-highlights/2013/December/Middlesbrough-v-City-u18s

City u-18's boys amazing football ! Impressive by Barker.

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/citytv/City-Today/2013/December/City-Today-12-December

Interesting stuff about Youth analysis team. Especially, U12's Analysis in possession.

 

[BlueDejong]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/12/07/4460715/manchester-city-look-to-the-future-as-barcelona-philosophy-takes-

Manchester City look to the future as Barcelona philosophy takes shape

The Premier League giants are scouring the world to acquire the very best talents for their elite development squad while investing £100m on a new state-of-the-art training complex

SPECIAL REPORT
By Liam Twomey

When Manchester City take on Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday, those of a mind may be tempted to view the match as a clash between opposing visions of how to build a football club.

While City’s stunning transformation over the past five years from Premier League afterthought to domestic and European powerhouse stands as a powerful monument to unparalleled financial muscle, Southampton’s similarly remarkable rise from League One has significant roots in a shrewd recruitment policy and exceptional youth development. Boasting the likes of Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, Nathaniel Clyne and James Ward-Prowse, it is tempting to hold the Saints up as beacons of hope as England desperately searches for reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Yet the most lavish members of the Premier League’s nouveau riche know it would be folly to try and build lasting domination on a house of cards. Over the past two years City have been scouring the world to acquire the very best teenagers for their elite development squad, managed with distinction by former France and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

Jose Pozo, rated as the best striker to come through Real Madrid’s academy in years, was poached in January 2012 for a fee which could eventually rise to £3.5m. Zacharias Faour, a 15-year-old Swedish striker compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a result of his talent, physique and emergence at Malmo, will join in January in a £1m deal.

City have also won the race to sign Nigerian wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho, star of last summer’s Under-17 World Cup and linked with a host of European giants. Finally there is Brahim Abdelkader, the Malaga 14-year-old dubbed the ‘New Messi’, and whom Barcelona were so sure of signing that they introduced him to the old Messi, as well as Andres Iniesta and Xavi, before City pounced.

Yet City’s youth ranks are not simply to be populated with exotic prodigies. Among the domestic youngsters tipped for big things are Emyr Huws, a talented Wales Under-21 midfielder and goalkeeper Angus Gunn, son of Norwich City legend Bryan, while Manuel Pellegrini is also a fan of midfielder George Evans, currently on loan at Crewe Alexandra.

City’s vision is to combine the best UK-based talent with the cream of the rest of the world, in the belief that each will succeed in driving the other on. It is hoped that even those who do not make the first-team cut will realise transfer fees and careers at other professional clubs – a key part of City’s long-term strategy to fulfil the requirements of Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules.

“The development of young and home grown players is central to our strategy of creating both a winning team and a sustainable football club,” Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano proclaimed in September 2012 when it was announced that construction was set to begin on the £100 million, 80-acre Etihad Campus which is situated adjacent to the club’s stadium.

The ambition and scale of the project – the first phase of which will be completed in time for the 2014-15 season – is stunning. The campus will contain 16 football pitches to house every team from the under-8s to the first-team squad, state-of-the-art training facilities, apartments for youth and senior players with a separate wing to cater for their visiting families, and a 7000-seater stadium in which the Elite Development Squad will play their home matches. This ground will be linked to the Etihad Stadium by a 60-metre bridge, the function of which will be symbolic as well as practical.

Yet amid the largesse, City aim to teach humility as well as excellence. Connell Sixth Form College, also on site, will encourage the club’s talented starlets to mix with youngsters of their own age, while they are already expected to watch home matches at the Etihad Stadium in club tracksuits from the family stand and mingle with the fans prior to kick-off.

In many aspects, the similarity in philosophy to Barcelona of the project headed by two of the Catalan club’s most distinguished administrators is hard to ignore.

Director of football Txiki Begiristain’s remit is wide-ranging. It is hoped his vast array of contacts in South America – scouts, agents and club officials – will give City a crucial advantage for securing talented youngsters in a key market going forward, but he is also charged with creating a viable pathway through the youth ranks to the first team.

All of City’s youth teams have now adopted training methods practised by Barcelona, while Pellegrini is required to take a keen interest in the progress of the club’s prospects. He will often make the trip to Hyde FC’s Ewen Fields with Begiristain and assistant Brian Kidd to watch reserve matches, as well as following the club’s inaugural Uefa Youth League campaign.

The results will not be immediate but, given their current quality, City do not need them to be. And if everything goes to plan, there may soon come a time when Manchester United’s era-defining ‘Class of 92’ will no longer have to be viewed with grudging envy by their noisy neighbours.

 

[spinzer]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2013/12/07/4460715/manchester-city-look-to-the-future-as-barcelona-philosophy-takes-

Manchester City look to the future as Barcelona philosophy takes shape

The Premier League giants are scouring the world to acquire the very best talents for their elite development squad while investing £100m on a new state-of-the-art training complex

SPECIAL REPORT
By Liam Twomey

When Manchester City take on Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday, those of a mind may be tempted to view the match as a clash between opposing visions of how to build a football club.

While City’s stunning transformation over the past five years from Premier League afterthought to domestic and European powerhouse stands as a powerful monument to unparalleled financial muscle, Southampton’s similarly remarkable rise from League One has significant roots in a shrewd recruitment policy and exceptional youth development. Boasting the likes of Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, Nathaniel Clyne and James Ward-Prowse, it is tempting to hold the Saints up as beacons of hope as England desperately searches for reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Yet the most lavish members of the Premier League’s nouveau riche know it would be folly to try and build lasting domination on a house of cards. Over the past two years City have been scouring the world to acquire the very best teenagers for their elite development squad, managed with distinction by former France and Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira.

Jose Pozo, rated as the best striker to come through Real Madrid’s academy in years, was poached in January 2012 for a fee which could eventually rise to £3.5m. Zacharias Faour, a 15-year-old Swedish striker compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a result of his talent, physique and emergence at Malmo, will join in January in a £1m deal.

City have also won the race to sign Nigerian wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho, star of last summer’s Under-17 World Cup and linked with a host of European giants. Finally there is Brahim Abdelkader, the Malaga 14-year-old dubbed the ‘New Messi’, and whom Barcelona were so sure of signing that they introduced him to the old Messi, as well as Andres Iniesta and Xavi, before City pounced.

Yet City’s youth ranks are not simply to be populated with exotic prodigies. Among the domestic youngsters tipped for big things are Emyr Huws, a talented Wales Under-21 midfielder and goalkeeper Angus Gunn, son of Norwich City legend Bryan, while Manuel Pellegrini is also a fan of midfielder George Evans, currently on loan at Crewe Alexandra.

City’s vision is to combine the best UK-based talent with the cream of the rest of the world, in the belief that each will succeed in driving the other on. It is hoped that even those who do not make the first-team cut will realise transfer fees and careers at other professional clubs – a key part of City’s long-term strategy to fulfil the requirements of Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules.

“The development of young and home grown players is central to our strategy of creating both a winning team and a sustainable football club,” Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano proclaimed in September 2012 when it was announced that construction was set to begin on the £100 million, 80-acre Etihad Campus which is situated adjacent to the club’s stadium.

The ambition and scale of the project – the first phase of which will be completed in time for the 2014-15 season – is stunning. The campus will contain 16 football pitches to house every team from the under-8s to the first-team squad, state-of-the-art training facilities, apartments for youth and senior players with a separate wing to cater for their visiting families, and a 7000-seater stadium in which the Elite Development Squad will play their home matches. This ground will be linked to the Etihad Stadium by a 60-metre bridge, the function of which will be symbolic as well as practical.

Yet amid the largesse, City aim to teach humility as well as excellence. Connell Sixth Form College, also on site, will encourage the club’s talented starlets to mix with youngsters of their own age, while they are already expected to watch home matches at the Etihad Stadium in club tracksuits from the family stand and mingle with the fans prior to kick-off.

In many aspects, the similarity in philosophy to Barcelona of the project headed by two of the Catalan club’s most distinguished administrators is hard to ignore.

Director of football Txiki Begiristain’s remit is wide-ranging. It is hoped his vast array of contacts in South America – scouts, agents and club officials – will give City a crucial advantage for securing talented youngsters in a key market going forward, but he is also charged with creating a viable pathway through the youth ranks to the first team.

All of City’s youth teams have now adopted training methods practised by Barcelona, while Pellegrini is required to take a keen interest in the progress of the club’s prospects. He will often make the trip to Hyde FC’s Ewen Fields with Begiristain and assistant Brian Kidd to watch reserve matches, as well as following the club’s inaugural Uefa Youth League campaign.

The results will not be immediate but, given their current quality, City do not need them to be. And if everything goes to plan, there may soon come a time when Manchester United’s era-defining ‘Class of 92’ will no longer have to be viewed with grudging envy by their noisy neighbours.

Good read that, thanks mate!

 

[jollylescott]

Just watched City Today. It was amazing listening to a couple of the little under 12's explaining the technicalities of the City style of football. Both clearly clever little boys, talking about pressing from the front, and explaining how to spread in attack.

City has the most exciting future. If you think it's pretty good now, just wait until you see the players that will roll off the production line in the next few years.

The future is indeed a beautiful blue.

 

[Outrun]

Looks like we've signed Kjetil Haug, very promising 15 year-old goalkeeper:
<a class="postlink-local" href="http://forums.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=294561" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">viewtopic.php?f=10&t=294561</a>

 

[FantasyIreland]

15 year old Norwegian GK Kjetil Haug on trial with Utd & City.

His trial at Utd has finished....it's now up to us to get him....looks like he has a decision to make

He's made the right one.....

Our goalkeeping situation looks very healthy,serious talent at all levels now:-)

 

[keemcfc]

What would you say our best youth XI is?

________________Gunn

Smith-Brown__Denayer__Bossaerts__Angelino

____________Fofana____Huws

______Lopes_______Pozo_______Bytyqi

__________________Cole

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

What would you say our best youth XI is?

________________Gunn

Smith-Brown__Denayer__Bossaerts__Angelino

____________Fofana____Huws

______Lopes_______Pozo_______Bytyqi

__________________Cole

Could be close that team. I am a little unsure about the midfield.Huws I will agree as he has looked good and strong most of the time although I thought he had a shocker in his last game. I probably wouldn't go for Fofana though although there is a lot of potential there.I still think he doesn't get his head up enough for that position which needs creativity.If all we want from him is drive and attacking threat then maybe.

I would put Byrne in there instead.It does seem he has been playing a bit deep ( the Huws role) but I think he has bags of talent on the ball and should be the playmaker. Moving further up I am also unsure about Bytyqi.Another like Fofana who doesn't get his decisions quite right.Decent player no doubt ,works hard and getting better.

The challenge is to find someone better which isn't easy.Maybe Rusnak,maybe Barker for potential dipping into the 18's.On the striker front I am warming to Cole.Maybe I have seen it wrong but for a while I wasn't seeing enough from Devante in his overall play.In holding the ball up,pressuring defenders as well as his first touch but I think the improvements and quality are coming through.But had you put Hiwula in there I would not have argued and I wonder if we have a real challenger coming through in Ambrose.

PS would you put Rekik in the team?

 

[Noisy Blue]

Don't know if anyone has seen the training pictures. There were two youngsters (I think) training with the first team. I think one of them may have been Greg Leigh and I don't know who the other one was so could anyone please let me know?

 

[Nelly's Left Foot]

Don't know if anyone has seen the training pictures. There were two youngsters (I think) training with the first team. I think one of them may have been Greg Leigh and I don't know who the other one was so could anyone please let me know?

No idea where you have seen training pictures.The only ones I have seen didn't have Leigh or any youngsters in it.