makes a case for B Teams / formal feeder clubs / draft system

A given individual is clearly going to develop more at a top acadamy than a poorly funded one, but the missing link is first team action.

Premier League clubs funding academies either at a 'feeder club(s)' could work well for all concerned. I'm less keen on B Teams given the football pyramid, but they'd work too.

Even more radically, set up regional academies that are funded centrally by the Premier League and parcel players out to Football League clubs through some form of draft pick system, with the players owned centrally by the PL and only being able to be bought by individual clubs outright once they've had a couple of years of first team development and with the funds reinvested into the academies (and PL directors' pockets, natch).

Posted By: CWC, Aug 27, 10:59:49