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Fifth Column 10:57 Thu Feb 28
Man City Academy and Reece Oxford
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Before the match yesterday I visited an old friend of mine who used to be head of academy recruitment at a Premier League club in London and was recruited by Man City a few years ago and has now got to the point of being very senior in their academy.
I've been to a lot of the pro club academies but Man City's is on another level. Absolutely enormous, the spec of the place, on site accommodation for all academy players that need/want it. Academy kids can just drop in and play even on days they have no sessions. High spec classrooms. Support for parents at the academy.
Interestingly much higher retention rate of local kids at least until 16 compared to academies in London where kids are signed and released all the time. Academy staff also really friendly - again a lot of London academy staff are completely up themselves.
We chatted about a lot of players. My mate said he'd seen Grady Diangana over a long period in academy football and that IF he could get enough time in the team he'd develop into a consistent Premier League performer.
Another of the coaches from there we were talking to brought up Reece Oxford, said that they felt he'd been poorly managed by his agent but more than that he'd just never been as good as he was made out to be and it's highly unlikely that he'd ever make it above foot of Premier League/top of Championship standard at best so if West Ham could get a million for him they should take it.
Pity about the result yesterday but it was still a laugh, "Nil Nil To The Cockney Boys"...
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Fifth Column
5:29 Thu Feb 28
Re: Man City Academy and Reece Oxford
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Scott D
I wasn't lavishing praise. I was just reporting what it's like there. As a website of football supporters I thought some may find it interesting.
They've sold two players from their academy for combined 30 million in last year so in terms of ongoing expenditure their academy is making a significant profit. They have a lot more older kids who've been with them since they were at primary school than London clubs that have a huge churn. The relationship I saw between coaches and players seemed a lot more relaxed than the academies I've seen in London. That's not money, that's attitude/management.
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BRANDED
11:52 Thu Feb 28
Re: Man City Academy and Reece Oxford
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North Bank 11:34 Thu Feb 28
Re: Man City Academy and Reece Oxford
Puma would do a ten year deal if the owners and management if the club said "we're in this for the ling term to win and keep winning". Puma's descision after that would be pretty straight forward.
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The Libertine
11:43 Thu Feb 28
Re: Man City Academy and Reece Oxford
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Should be possible to improve on the talent development at our place. Even though we dont have the money to throw at it like City, we can still have a look at it and learn from what is working best, ie housing, schooling etc where the talent can focus on the development of their minds and skills.
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North Bank
11:34 Thu Feb 28
Re: Man City Academy and Reece Oxford
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Fifth did they always think that about Oxford even as kid or only recently after all of the rubbish with his old dear
As a footnote to all of this Man City have just signed a 10 year deal with Puma for £650 million, absolutely incredible amount of money
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Eerie Descent
11:27 Thu Feb 28
Re: Man City Academy and Reece Oxford
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Let's all lavish praise on the richest club in the world.
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scott_d
11:10 Thu Feb 28
Re: Man City Academy and Reece Oxford
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It's no surprise that the richest club in the league, who have almost a bottomless pit of money, can and will throw money at their youth development team.
The only other club who've had a similar amount money over the last few years is Chelsea but they seem to have chosen to just buy loads and loads of potential and loan them out until they are either good enough or turn a profit.
I know which model I prefer.
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