It is well known in the footballing community that Southampton’s academy has produced a large amount of quality players in recent years and is regarded as one of the best academies in England, if not Europe. Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw and Theo Walcott are some of the big names that have come from Southampton’s training facilities in recent times.
Recent success
Southampton’s youngsters won the Under-21 Premier League Cup last season and had multiple youth team graduates either in the first team or out on loan last season. With Harrison Reed, James Ward-Prowse and Matt Targett all staking a claim for First Team spots in the Saints side last season. They also have a number of players in the development squad that look ready for a chance in the First Team this upcoming season. Players such as Ryan Seager, Will Britt and Sam McQueen will all be hoping to put themselves in Ronald Koeman’s plans for the season and add to their elusive list of former graduates.
How do they do it?
It could be down to the quality of the coaches… it could be down to the quality of the facilities… i mean it could even be down to the local area just having naturally gifted footballers. In reality, it is likely that it is a mixture of all three of these things. Any successful academy needs good coaches and good facilities, that’s a prerequisite. However, if you don’t have players within your clubs catchment area that are naturally good footballers, you wont be able to produce many stars for the future. Southampton seem to have found the right way to progress players to the First Team. Whereas many of the top teams go down the route of sending all of their promising young players out on loan to lower league or foreign league teams, Southampton have chosen to embed them into the First Team slowly. This cuts out the need for loan spells away from the club and keeps them in a good balance between professional football with the First Team and also youth football with the development squad when they are not with the senior side to allow for a smooth transition. This strategy seems to have worked superbly well. The likes of Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott all were brought into the Saints first team without having any loan spells away from the club prior to their League debuts for the club.
Potential Stars
Ryan Seager- The 19 year old Saints u21 striker managed an impressive 21 goals in 29 youth team appearance last season for Southampton. The highly rated forward who is known for his poacher ability and lethal finishing and currently has 2 first team appearance to his name for Southampton. Both coming this year; one in the Premier League and one in the FA Cup. He will be hoping that he can add to this for the coming season and be able to score his first senior goal for Ronald Koeman’s men.
-Ryan Seager goals 2014/15 by “In off the post” Youtube 2015.
Will Britt- The 20 year old Goalkeeper is Southampton’s number one for the upcoming season for the Under-21 side and has already been called up for senior International football, albeit it being Gibraltar, who with no offence intended, are not the biggest nation around. The young shot stopper has already earned a professional contract with the Saints that runs till next year. He was awarded his deal after he spent time on loan at fellow Premier League side Norwich City’s under-18s. He was their first choice keeper as they won the FA Youth cup in 2013 against Chelsea in the two-legged final. Britt will be hoping to break into the Southampton squad in the coming years, with Club captain Kelvin Davis nearing retirement and Stekelenberg only being on loan for the coming season. If these two were not at Southampton then he would be number 2 to Fraser Forster, who is currently injured.
– Will Britt by “John Smith” Youtube 2013.
Sam McQueen- The 20 year old left sided midfielder has been at Southampton since he was 8 years of age and is highly regarded by Saints fans. The talented winger has produced exciting and consistent performances for the Saints youth sides. However, he has only ever made one appearance for the senior side, which was coming off the bench two seasons ago versus Sunderland in the FA cup. He has been involved with the First Team in the Pre Season for Saints this summer and will be hoping to get minutes in the Premier League/Cup this season.
Sam McQueen goals assists skills Southampton- 2014
Let us know who you think Southampton’s next big star is!
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