A number of Southampton fans have been reacting to comments made by Burnley’s new chairman Alan Pace suggesting that the Saints’ academy has been ‘destroyed’ over the last few years.
Southampton are currently benefitting from the form of two academy graduates who are regulars within Ralph Hasenhuttl’s starting line-up. James Ward-Prowse has been earning plaudits for his excellent form so far this term, while Theo Walcott has come back to St Mary’s on loan from Everton and is showing some of his best form in a long time.
However, whilst the Saints do have the likes of Michael Obafemi, Yan Valery, Dan N’Lundulu and Nathan Tella in and around the first team squad, the production line has not produced as many readymade stars in comparison to the early 2010s. The successes of players like Gareth Bale, Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have not been repeated in more recent times.
Pace has arrived at Burnley to take over from former chairman Mike Garlick following confirmation of American group ALK taking control of the club. Speaking to Daily Mail following the takeover, he was asked about what he hoped to build with the Clarets’ academy, and he cited Southampton’s previous model as the one to follow. However, he also suggested that the Saints had ‘destroyed’ that work over recent years.
He said: “Look at Southampton, we have a tremendous amount of respect for what they did with their academy. Yet over the last five years, under the current owner, they have destroyed that.”
Southampton fans react to Alan Pace comments
Many Southampton fans have been suggesting that Pace’s comments might have been harsh in terms of saying the current owners had ‘destroyed’ the academy. However, there were some fans who did agree that the academy system has been less productive in recent times.
https://twitter.com/SimonParkerPT/status/1345727846287863809?s=19
It’s been a few years since a Lallana or an Oxlade-Chamberlain came through, so now the Academy is a failure?
Never mind that a 3rd of the players in and around the first team squad have spent significant time in that Academy.
— FMLogos⚽️ (@FMLogos_rocheyb) January 3, 2021
Those under Koeman all suffered serious injuries as they looked to kick on (Sims, Gallagher, Reed, Targett, McQueen) but all still play football in the top 3 leagues in England. The next group didn't get a chance as we had managers like Hughes. The current crop are doing OK too
— Matt Riglar (@MattRiggles) January 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/saints_fandom/status/1345752442353442819?s=19
Hardly destroyed it….and have been investing in it again. What a strange comment.
— Andrew Leakey (@AndrewLeakey57) January 3, 2021
I think ‘destroyed’ is a bit strong. But we do need better owners – the academy space has become much more competitive too. #saintsfc https://t.co/H26E5aWBZy
— The Archers Road End | #LegacyFan (@ArchersRoadEnd) January 3, 2021
Yes but he came out of our academy over five years ago. Who has come out of the academy in the last five years? It has dipped.
— Jonathan Barrett (@jonnyasbo) January 3, 2021
