Manchester City have one of the best Under-21 systems in the country, but even with players like Angelino breaking through, does more need to be done?
I imagine there’s few football fans today that don’t enjoy reading of the success of their Under-21 team. It’s particularly soothing if, conversely, their over 21 team is tanking and thus serves as the last station on the Brag Train for teams that miss the European Qualifiers Express. Not only for supporters stuck with little else to cheer for, but fans of clubs like Manchester City can revel in the potential that exists, waiting in the wings to ensure continued domination.
In City’s case, it’s hard to argue they don’t have one of the stronger development programmes in the country, if not the most so. Since its formation in 1998 the Academy has produced more professional level players than any other of its kind. Not just dross either, plenty of household names are included in the list, such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton, Stephen Ireland and Kasper Schmeichel. In all, some 15 players have received full international call-ups from their assorted nations and over 60 currently play professional league football in some capacity. That’s pretty impressive.
Right now, the two biggest names to look to burst through the Academy are easily Kelechi Iheanacho and, with a suitably big name, Jose Angel Esmoris Tasende, otherwise known as “Angelino”. The former, Iheanacho, is well known among Citizens for looking dangerous just about every time he’s come on, even though that hasn’t happened all that often. Don’t believe me? In 274 minutes of senior football for Manchester City in 2015, Iheanacho scored some 4 goals, which is roughly the same as a goal every 68.5 minutes. That’s a pretty exciting record for any player, let alone a 19 year old who gets play time usually only as a substitute for Wilfried Bony.
As for Angelino, well he’s another 19 year old, this time a left back, who signed for City while only 16 and has spent his time between the EDS (Elite Development System) and New York City on loan. More interestingly is that, with Aleks Kolarov injured, Angelino is set for inclusion with the Sky Blues today in their Barclays Premier League game away at West Ham United. Could this be a turning point for Manchester City in seeing a wave of homegrown talent break through to revitalise the first team?
Not so fast says Patrick Viera. The outgoing head of the EDS, leaving to take over New York City, has poured cold water on hopes for major growth through the academy. Speaking to the Times, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, Viera had this to say:
"“We have really talented players but at 18, 19 they need first-team football. They need to play men. The way it is now doesn’t work.Everything at City is working the right way but to judge success we have to be realistic. It might be one, two players over the next five years.”"
Potential is only that, potential. It’s the nice word the teacher puts on the report card of a bad student. They may not be good, but hey, they have a lot of potential. So too with the Under-21 and youth teams, there’s much to be excited about but with the current system it’s potential that is still, as yet, not being actualised.
What Viera would ideally like to see is a system in kind with what exists in American sports, for example baseball. Feeder teams as part of a staged and structured farm system scattered throughout the lower leagues of English Football, such as the second division and below, give players more experience with professional and competitive matches, more chances to shine and even more to develop.
"“I strongly believe in this,” he added. “The under-21 should be under-18 and then have a B team for the older group. Ideally in the Championship but even League One would be a massive step forward.””"
As things stand, the future is bleak for still a majority of young players even in a system like Manchester City’s, the best in the country. Talent is easy to acquire with money, but far more difficult to build and shape. There are tangible benefits to the former however, as City have seen and are seeing through young talent like Iheanacho and Angelino, who are already making an impact on the park.
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As City look to continue to compete domestically and internationally, it’s important to keep an eye to the future and no other club are currently better positioned to take the next step. Whether or not they will is another question, but keep an eye out today for Angelino and remember there are many others just like him down there waiting for a similar chance to shine.