Season 2011-12
The Mail Bag
Youth is the future
10 Comments: In this climate of having to keep the banks satisfied every season, then surely a club like Everton will only be able to really challenge by unearthing a couple of young gems every season.
If we are not able to bring them into the game at youth level then we may be screwed long term. We got down to 3 full time scouts a few years back and I have heard that Arsenal had over 20....
Rooney, Rodwell, Barkley to name but 3 surely have to be the long-term way out of this financial mess, that or get a billionaire in... and Billy Liar is in charge of that, so I am not holding my breath.
Steve Cotton, Posted 04/09/2011 at 10:23:55
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You cant build a team on youth alone , I suspect if we dont do well between now and Xmas then Fellaini will make his intention clear that he will not sign a new contract , and we will be forced to sell "if we can" to ensure another Pinnear doesn't happen . Also the likes of Baines and Jags might well decide enough is enough and question why they should stay nursing youngsters
On the other hand, Mike, we might do well and all the current squad will want to stay. We also have at least 2 more promising youngsters in Hope and Lundstrem coming through so let's try and support the Team for now.
No point in worrying about that just now. It's what happens on the pitch and Kenwright being forced to sell to the RIGHT buyer that is important at the moment.
No point in worrying about that just now. It's what happens on the pitch and Kenwright being forced to sell to the RIGHT buyer that is important at the moment.
Time to settle all those arguements as to whether or not Davey is a miracle worker, I`m backing him to prove his worth ? or most of it, anyway!
A couple of youth gems each season doesn't even happen at Utd. It will be far cheaper to buy young foreigners. Their wages will be only a percentage of the British equivalent.
Who's this Rooney you speak of? Is it a younger brother or nephew of the guy we sold to United 6 years ago?
Steve ? I totally agree with you. If we look at the history; in the past, very successful Everton teams have included a good proportion of players who have "come through the ranks".
1969 -70 Champions ? Tommy Wright, Brian Labone, Colin Harvey, Jimmy Husband, Joe Royle, John Hurst and Alan Whittle. Labone of course was the skipper.
1984 ? 87 FA Cup Winners, European Cup Winners Cup Winners, League Champions ? Gary Stevens and Kevein Ratcliffe. Only two but Ratcliffe was the skipper and both were Internationals.
The 80s team included several "bargain buys", players who when signed would hardly have made the national sports pages, eg, Sharp (Dunbarton), Harper and Sheedy (Liverpool Reserves) and Southall (Bury).
Yes you can't build a team on youth alone... but, with a very good scouting network, you can establish a good academy and also sign good young players from outside. In Italy, Udinese have a fraction of the TV revenue that clubs like the Milan teams, Roma, Lazio, Juventus etc; they also have a transfer and salary budget that is a fraction of that of the " big guns". They established ? about 10 years ago, I think ? a worldwide scouting network and they also have links with Grenada in the Spanish 2nd Division. This summer, they sold a player to Barcalona for £20M - a 22-year-old who they had paid a total of £2M in transfer fees having signed him from a Chilean club.
Last season, Udinese qulified for the Champions League and, whilst they may have lost out to Arsenal, they are certainly competing well in Italy. They can't match the big guns in the transfer market and they don't try to. I think Everton need to follow a similar path.
For all their riches, the Sky 4 (or is it 5 or 6?) can't get all of the good players. Not every player will settle for a mega salary if they are going to be 3rd or 4th choice. Going to Chelsea didn't do Scot Parker or Steve Sidwell any good did it?
1969 -70 Champions ? Tommy Wright, Brian Labone, Colin Harvey, Jimmy Husband, Joe Royle, John Hurst and Alan Whittle. Labone of course was the skipper.
1984 ? 87 FA Cup Winners, European Cup Winners Cup Winners, League Champions ? Gary Stevens and Kevein Ratcliffe. Only two but Ratcliffe was the skipper and both were Internationals.
The 80s team included several "bargain buys", players who when signed would hardly have made the national sports pages, eg, Sharp (Dunbarton), Harper and Sheedy (Liverpool Reserves) and Southall (Bury).
Yes you can't build a team on youth alone... but, with a very good scouting network, you can establish a good academy and also sign good young players from outside. In Italy, Udinese have a fraction of the TV revenue that clubs like the Milan teams, Roma, Lazio, Juventus etc; they also have a transfer and salary budget that is a fraction of that of the " big guns". They established ? about 10 years ago, I think ? a worldwide scouting network and they also have links with Grenada in the Spanish 2nd Division. This summer, they sold a player to Barcalona for £20M - a 22-year-old who they had paid a total of £2M in transfer fees having signed him from a Chilean club.
Last season, Udinese qulified for the Champions League and, whilst they may have lost out to Arsenal, they are certainly competing well in Italy. They can't match the big guns in the transfer market and they don't try to. I think Everton need to follow a similar path.
For all their riches, the Sky 4 (or is it 5 or 6?) can't get all of the good players. Not every player will settle for a mega salary if they are going to be 3rd or 4th choice. Going to Chelsea didn't do Scot Parker or Steve Sidwell any good did it?
Apologies to Kevin Ratcliffe!!
Good point, Michael, but I actually think that's what we have been doing.
The Manager and Chairman have recognised this and made steps to improve the quality of young player we are bringing through. The most significant move was relocating them to Finch Farm, so they could be near the first team from a younger age. This is already producing results in the fact that we won the Under 18 youth title last season. There are some very exciting prospects in that side. Bidwell, Garbutt, McAleny and someone has already mentioned Hope and Lundstrum. We also have Baxter, Forshaw, Nsiala and Wallace.
Someone else suggested that we should be looking at foreign bargains as the answer. To them I would say; Coleman, Velios, Gueye and Stracqualursi could all prove to fall into this category in the next 12 months.
I firmly believe we are in good hands. With money we would be challenging for the title, but without we will be challenging for Europe.
IMWT
The Manager and Chairman have recognised this and made steps to improve the quality of young player we are bringing through. The most significant move was relocating them to Finch Farm, so they could be near the first team from a younger age. This is already producing results in the fact that we won the Under 18 youth title last season. There are some very exciting prospects in that side. Bidwell, Garbutt, McAleny and someone has already mentioned Hope and Lundstrum. We also have Baxter, Forshaw, Nsiala and Wallace.
Someone else suggested that we should be looking at foreign bargains as the answer. To them I would say; Coleman, Velios, Gueye and Stracqualursi could all prove to fall into this category in the next 12 months.
I firmly believe we are in good hands. With money we would be challenging for the title, but without we will be challenging for Europe.
IMWT
It has to be youth if there is no zillionaire buyer, along with shrewd signings for players with potential and who have a first touch, Moyes, for fuck's sake.
We also have to make sure we're first in line to grab the young players in the local area. Some kind of change in youth development were we are at the forefront and able to offer youngsters something others cannot.
I would like to see the Club for a start offer young 10-15 year olds who have shown some ability education. Why not try things like the big European Clubs do as at present we offer nothing different than any other Football Club in England.
We also have to make sure we're first in line to grab the young players in the local area. Some kind of change in youth development were we are at the forefront and able to offer youngsters something others cannot.
I would like to see the Club for a start offer young 10-15 year olds who have shown some ability education. Why not try things like the big European Clubs do as at present we offer nothing different than any other Football Club in England.
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