With Chamberlain now having buggared off to Arsenal, we already have another gem coming through the academy on the RW in the name of Omar Rowe. Expect to see him in the future, before he too buggars off to Arsenal when he breaks through Oh and James Ward-Prowse and Luke Shaw, they'll buggar off to Arsenal when they break through. Not a happy bunny tonight
This incident was just a bit too early for us to show that we can now hold onto our family jewels. We're still a Championship side. I have no doubt that once we get back to the Prem we will have reduced the gap with the 'top four' sufficiently to be able to hold onto our star players because...they won't actually want to leave! Plus the Cortese-effect will come into play. You can already see it here with him still securing a significant fee upfront for someone who wanted to leave. 7m or 12m upfront (I've heard various stories), it all but makes this a positive story. I'd rather have 2+ quality players than Alex though of course it would have been great to have kept him. Mark my words, in a few seasons the only players who will leave this club are those that we as the club won't want to stay for whatever reason.
Get used to it - we do the same to clubs below us, it's the way of the footballing world As long as we get fabulous sums which secure our future development I am quite happy and looking forward to seeing the next on the conveyor belt - Omar Rowe sounds really exciting so comeon NA lets get him in the squad!
The academy was mainly created for investment. If we keep making massive profits (like with Chamberlain), then we can spend the money on new exciting players.
You have to understand that this is what happens in football. How many kids since the turn of the millenium have stayed at their first club until the age of, say, 21 - let alone most or all of their careers? Rooney was quickly snapped up by United. Shelvey by Liverpool. Delph by Villa. Milner by Newcastle. Lennon by Spurs. Hart by City. Huddlestone by Spurs. The list goes on and on and on. These clubs can offer the big bucks, and the prospect of top-level football. You can't blame the kids for going, just like you can't blame the clubs for selling. Just have the satisfaction that not only does our bank balance get a great boost from selling these youngsters, but also that we can produce youngsters who are better than the equivilant players produced by these big clubs.
The fact we can produce players like this, regardless of where they end up plying their trade, is a massive credit to Southampton Football Club and all those who are involved in the running and funding of the academy.
Arsenal are basically funding our Academy for us; £6mil'ish for Walcott, £12-15mil for Chamberlain and they apparently even offered £2mil for Luke Shaw who hasn't played a minute of First Team football. On another, similar note, I would love too see some of the Younger guys get a run out tomorrow i.e. Doble, Reeves, Stephens
Alex made his own choice and once a player has said he wants to go then, then it's best he does, but ONLY for the right price. I think we got that today. I also felt that he wasnever less than totally committed on the pitch. I wish him well.
Omar Rowe isn't quite a Saints academy product. He only joined the U16 at the end of 2010-11 after release from West Ham. He is fast and scores fab opportunistic goals but is a bit small. I'd also watch out for Sam McQueen. Good in the air with the ability to go past players. He's also an intelligent crosser and passer of the ball. Just two of a VERY good squad of first year scholars.
I have also heard good things about Shaw. And the academy now is better than it was when Theo and Bale were coming through, and far better than it was in our admin period when a lot of our players really suffered. So it is seriously exciting.
These are the academy players to watch IMO: Luke Shaw (LB) - future England LB James Ward-Prowse (CM) - future Saints midfielder, has squad number already, trained with 1st team etc Chris Johns (GK) - on pro deal already, looks promising Jordan Turnbull (CB) - strong CB, definetely 1 to watch Sam McQueen (LM) - good crosser, scores goals Omar Rowe (RM) - exciting RM, sounds a superb player Calum Chambers (CM) - again very promising, highly rated Harrison Reed (CM) - similar to Paul Scholes, looks a very promising player Jake Sinclair (ST) - scores goals for fun Jack Stephens (RB) - signed from Plymouth, has squad number and rejected prem clubs for us Corby Moore (CM) - young tenacious who has potential And further up, you have Lloyd Isgrove (Winger), Sam Hoskins (Striker), Andy Robinson (CM), Aaran Racine (CB), Harlee Dean (CB), Jack Dovey (GK), Ryan Doble (Striker) and Ben Reeves (Left Back) all bubbling below the 1st team
I watched the 2nd half of the Man U match on the live stream and McQueen impressed me when he came on for the equally impressive Jake Sinclair. Reminds me of Lambert. We're lucky to have so much quality coming through and may have to send some of them out on loan when they sign professional terms. Bournemouth would probably be pretty grateful the way Eddie Mitchell is asset stripping the club.
Chris Johns, Jordan Turnbull, Luke Shaw, Harrison Reed, James Ward-Prowse, Calum Chambers, Jake Sinclair and maybe Omar Rowe, however not sure about him
Harrison Reed is excellent although not the biggest player. I really hope we stick with him. The Scholes comparison is just too obvious.
