Under -19 Champions League ?

[Steve R]

Came across this (clicky)

Can't see much mention of it anywhere, which surprises me if it is exactly what the Mail says it is.

Champions League football in 5 years inded !

[PONGO49]

Wow another European championship for Barca to dominate

[cdbearsfan]

The last thing any of the competitors from smaller countries want to do is actually win this tournament.

They might as well take out a four-page ad in The Times saying "Chelsea and Arsenal, come and sign all our players for next to fuck all".

[paul_e]

This should be really positive for english clubs.  A big problem in this country is that most of the youth sides are made up of kids that are bigger, stronger or quicker than the others of their age, which means the better techincal players often get overlooked (how many players have been called too small to make it in the prem over the years, multiply that by lots and you'll get to the figure that are rejected lower down).

1 of the key factors in barcas recent success is that they've taken technically excellent youngsters and taught them how to shield the ball, tackle, etc despite not being as big or strong as others.  Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Pedro are all regulars and they're all small guys who have learnt how to use their size to their advantage.

Hopefully seeing sides like Ajax and Barca at the lower age groups will show the english sides that there is another way.  It's only when sides really embrace this cultural change that the technical qualities in this country will improve.

[paul_e]

The last thing any of the competitors from smaller countries want to do is actually win this tournament.

They might as well take out a four-page ad in The Times saying "Chelsea and Arsenal, come and sign all our players for next to fuck all".

That is the worry but remember all the kids in this are going to be old enough to be on pro contracts so the clubs will have the option to put them on big contracts before they enter then they can charge top whack if they catch the eye.  Also remember that the clubs that are in it will be wanting their own kids to do well because it's a lot cheaper to develop your own talent than to buy it from other people so it will only be real superstars that get picked up and that happens already with most of the big sides having huge scouting networks looking out for the next big thing.

[DeKuip]

This "Next Generation League" was covered on the club website a few weeks ago and I recall that Villa are in the same group as Ajax.
It should be a fantastic experience and education for the young players. It's U19 but two over-age players (U21 I think) are also allowed.
The fact that we're able to compete in a competition like will also put us in a stronger position when it comes to attracting young talent to the academy.
 

[darren woolley]

It's a good initiative.