Southampton are widely known around England, and most probably Europe, for their superb ability at being able to bring players through the academy and into the world of professional football. Players such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Adam Lallana and Gareth Bale are some of the stellar names that have come from the academy in recent years.
Yesterday, I spoke to Southampton Under-21 ‘keeper Will Britt about Southampton and his plans for the future. Will is currently out with a long-term ACL injury and all of us at ReadSouthampton wish him a speedy recovery.
Will has been at Southampton for a number of years in the youth set-ups and did have a loan spell at Norwich’s Under-18s squad in 2013 and won the coveted FA Youth Cup with the Norfolk side.
How would you assess Southampton’s start to the season and how is it as a youth player looking in?
I feel the start of the season for the first team is on a rise since the win against Norwich as they have gone on to beat Swansea and Chelsea. Even though they lost against United, the first team played good football in the first half and ended the game well. As a young player looking in, it’s inspiring to see the first team go on to defeat Chelsea at the bridge and also see Prowsey make is 100th appearance.
How much of an impact has Ronald Koeman had on you since coming in last year?
When Koeman and his staff arrived it brought in the likes of Sammy lee and Dave Watson. They all have an unbelievable amount of experience and just being able to talk with them on a daily basis is an honour let alone having the chance to be coached by them in training.
What are your plans for the future after you have recovered from your injury?
My plans for the future once I’ve recovered from my acl injury is to find my feet, get back to match sharpness and back to my normal self, that’s the priority at the minute.
How much did you loan spell at Norwich help you and what was it like to play for Neil Adams?
My loan spell at Norwich some years ago was probably the best thing to happen to me. I struggled with confidence and self belief, I couldn’t make the Southampton squad for the youth cup and thought I would never play in a youth cup game. Then I got the call to go on a loan spell with Norwich to help them in the youth cup and I took the opportunity and grasped it with both hands. Working with Neil was a privilege, he had a calm approach to management and had all the respect from the players and I feel that’s what helped us get so far.
Does looking at players like Lallana, Walcott and Bale coming from Southampton spur you on to know that you can achieve big things coming from Southampton’s academy?
Seeing them players come through the Southampton academy gives you a lot of hope as a young player as you know you are in the best hands possible as an aspiring young footballer, you know there is a pathway to the first team.
Lastly, excluding yourself, out of the current crop of youth team players, who has the most potential to go on and become a first-team regular?
There’s a lot of lads with potential here at Southampton and I feel Jack Stephens could make the step up to be a regular as he’s played league 1 and championship football and everytime I see him, he has really matured as a footballer. I would also like to see Ryan Seager progress into the first team as he’s just a goal machine.
I would like to thank Will Britt once again for taking the time to answer some questions and wish him all the best with his recovery and the rest of the season.
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