Youth Champions League

[gzagee]

Dunno if any of you have heard about it but, Cycad Sports Management have organised the Next Generation League. It'll be based upon the same format currently used in the mainstream Champions League.

I think Celtic, Barca and Liverpool have been amongst the early forerunners (Celtic beat Liverpool 3-1 in the 'final' last season) and, from various articles it's about to be expanded this season. As far as i know UEFA & FIFA haven't ratified it so clubs have to apply to compete or be invited but, Citeh, Marseille, Ajax and Arsenal are a few that are said to be looking to included.

For some clubs this competition has come about due to the lack of reserve competitions in many respective european leagues.

The official announcement is due to be made this month.

Do you think it's a good thing for youngsters to get an early taste of european competition or, do you think it's detrimental to youth development and the idea will die an early death?

[Yorkyblue]

I like the idea in some ways but at the same time I don't think flying a youth player all over Europe mid-week then playing in they're normal game at the weekend will do them good.

We already have Wenger going on about Wilshere possibly getting burnt out. Giving reserve players 2 games a week will only shorten their career I think.

I know we have the likes of Theo and Rooney who came through at a young age but these are top conditioned players. Some reserve players don't even end up playing in the football league, no matter how good they looked after 1 appearance.

[gzagee]

That's a good point about flying and burnout but, do youth/reserve teams play week-in/week-out? I got the impression that wasn't the case though I could be wrong.

What's the opinion of Citeh fans?

[CynicalGooner]

I think it's a good thing for the kids to be playing these sorts of games early on, it's the kind of experience they may otherwise only get in tourneys like the Dallas Cup, but with it spread over the season I can definitely see benefits. From an English perspective it'll give our kids an early taste of what it's like to play their foreign counterparts and measure themselves against them.

I don't see much risk of burnout because the youths don't play many games anyway but for those still in school it could be an issue academically

[Yorkyblue]

That's a good point about flying and burnout but, do youth/reserve teams play week-in/week-out? I got the impression that wasn't the case though I could be wrong.

What's the opinion of Citeh fans?

I think they have that many different age groups and then actual reserve football that some players are in and out of teams each week so probably do get a game a week.

I've not been on Bluemoon yet today. Was only on here for 5 waiting for the girlfriend to come home so we can go out!

[gzagee]

I think it's a good thing for the kids to be playing these sorts of games early on, it's the kind of experience they may otherwise only get in tourneys like the Dallas Cup, but with it spread over the season I can definitely see benefits. From an English perspective it'll give our kids an early taste of what it's like to play their foreign counterparts and measure themselves against them.

I don't see much risk of burnout because the youths don't play many games anyway but for those still in school it could be an issue academically

Indeed, its high time the home based youngsters and coaches got to match their philosophies against their European counterparts on a more regular basis.

It's fine having these mini tournaments like Dallas Cup and that international one with ManU and teams from around the world but, this YCL could tell our coaching set-up a helluva lot more.

[JordanTheGunner]

Great idea! Players who are first teamers probably wouldn't play but give players like our reserves and maybe players like Denilson and Bendtner could try and rekindle their form.

[gzagee]

Great idea! Players who are first teamers probably wouldn't play but give players like our reserves and maybe players like Denilson and Bendtner could try and rekindle their form.

It's for youth teamers..

[JordanTheGunner]

[Yorkyblue]

City have pulled out of the reserve league. Quite happy about that as my only worry was players getting too much game time.

[gzagee]

Groups have been announced.

Young Villa face Ajax, Man City tackle Barcelona, Spurs take on Inter and Liverpool play Sporting in Euro League
By SIMON JONES
Last updated at 10:52 PM on 30th June 2011


Ajax have been named the 16th team in Europe's mini-Champions League next season and will play England's dark horses Aston Villa.
In a coup for organisers NextGen, the four-time European champions have joined the Under 19s tournament in Group Four, along with Villa, Rosenborg and Fenerbahce.

The draw, revealed exclusively in Sportsmail, leaves Tottenham with one of the toughest tasks - against Inter Milan, the highly rated Swiss FC Basle and the other Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Liverpool will play Sporting Lisbon, Wolfsburg and Molde in Group Two, while Manchester City face Marseille, a strong Barcelona and Celtic in the deadly Group One.
NextGen Series creator Mark Warburton, who is sporting director at League One Brentford, said: 'It is fantastic news that Ajax have signed up. They have one of the best youth academies in the world, producing the likes of Johan Cruyff and Dennis Bergkamp.'
Teams will play home and away, with the top two from each group progressing to a knock-out phase, possibly in Abu Dhabi, in January.

Group One

Barcelona
Manchester City
Celtic
Marseille

FIXTURES - Aug 17: Marseille v Celtic.
Aug 31: Celtic v Barcelona.
Sept 14: Man City v Barcelona; Celtic v Marseille.
Sept 28: Barcelona v Marseille.
Oct 5: Marseille v Man City.
Oct 19: Man City v Celtic; Marseille v Barcelona. Nov 2: Barcelona v Man City.
Nov 9: Celtic v Man City.
Nov 23: Man City v Marseille; Barcelona v Celtic.

Group Two

Liverpool
Sporting Lisbon
Molde
Wolfsburg

FIXTURES - Aug 17: Liverpool v Sporting.
Aug 18: Molde v Wolfsburg.
Aug 31: Sporting v Wolfsburg; Molde v Liverpool. Sept 14: Liverpool v Wolfsburg.
Sept 21: Sporting v Molde.
Sept 29: Liverpool v Molde.
Oct 5: Wolfsburg v Liverpool; Molde v Sporting. Oct 19: Wolfsburg v Sporting.
Nov 2: Wolfsburg v Molde.
Nov 23: Sporting v Liverpool.

Group Three

FC Basle
Tottenham
PSV Eindhoven
Inter Milan

FIXTURES Aug 17: Basle v Tottenham.
Aug 31: Basle v PSV; Tottenham v Inter Milan. Sept 14: Inter Milan v PSV.
Sept 28: Inter Milan v Basle; PSV v Tottenham. Oct 19: Basle v Inter Milan; Tottenham v PSV. Nov 2: Inter Milan v Tottenham; PSV v Basle. Nov 23: Tottenham v Basle; PSV v Inter Milan.

(All fixtures are subject to change)

Group Four

Ajax
Rosenborg
Aston Villa ~
Fenerbahce

FIXTURES Aug 24: Ajax v Rosenborg; A Villa v Fenerbahce.
Sept 7: Rosenborg v A Villa; Ajax v Fenerbahce. Sept 21: A Villa v Ajax; Fenerbahce v Rosenborg.
Oct 5: Rosenborg v Ajax; Fenerbahce v A Villa. Oct 12: Rosenborg v Fenerbahce.
Nov 2: Fenerbahce v Ajax; A Villa v Rosenborg. Nov 23: Ajax v A Villa.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... z1QpsDOPWK

Wonder why Arsenal weren't invited or didn't apply?

[Yorkyblue]

Daily Mail are slow with that! It was announced back when this thread was originally made!