Franky Duran

[Kopite_Colin]

Anyone know when he's due back...and does he have a shot at playing in the 1st team squad this season?

And who was thew other lad we brought in at the same time as him?

[saj]

Briefly saw his first match and he's very classy - good passer, creative and similar to Alonso but plays slightly further up the pitch. Think he got injured in his second match and you could tell straightaway the way he rolled off the pitch it was a bad one. Think he's back in October.

His chances of getting in the team are very slim - He's got Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Mascherano and maybe even Leiva in front of him. Why we persist on signing (and probably ruining the development and careers) of so many young players baffles me. He's blatantly never going to get a game and it's not because he's not good enough for first team football, its because we've got four of the best central midfielders in the world.

[kev776]

Briefly saw his first match and he's very classy - good passer, creative and similar to Alonso but plays slightly further up the pitch. Think he got injured in his second match and you could tell straightaway the way he rolled off the pitch it was a bad one. Think he's back in October.

His chances of getting in the team are very slim - He's got Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Mascherano and maybe even Leiva in front of him. Why we persist on signing (and probably ruining the development and careers) of so many young players baffles me. He's blatantly never going to get a game and it's not because he's not good enough for first team football, its because we've got four of the best central midfielders in the world.

What a harsh but bloody fair assessment

[dww]

Surely our aim is to create a development program such that we create good players who are either a salable asset or who can fight for a place in the team. There is always a chance that players like Alonso and Mascherano (who we don't own) will want to leave in the coming seasons and we know that Momo has limitations.

It remains to be seen whether Rafa will be able to make a truly effective system which produces talent on a regular basis who are good enough for the first team or who can be sold for good money. To be honest no matter where you go a very small percentage of young players make it. I'm not sure it is obvious whether the experience and coaching at a reserve/youth level of a big team is an advantage or disadvantage for young players when compared against first team games. Obviously at some point players need the latter but when did the last player who came up from lower league football make a significant impact on the PL? yet teams like Aston Villa and Middlesborough have had a good number of young players pay at the level from their youth setup with little/no experience of competitive football.

[Johnny]

I see nothing wrong with developing young players for profit if it helps with 1st team transfers.

[Maestro]

Surely our aim is to create a development program such that we create good players who are either a salable asset or who can fight for a place in the team. There is always a chance that players like Alonso and Mascherano (who we don't own) will want to leave in the coming seasons and we know that Momo has limitations.

Good points.
FWIW - Duran is still injured (dunno when he's back) and is supposed to be one of, if not the most talented of the youngsters brought in.

[Dhav]

When did we bring this lad in? Because I dont think I've ever heard of him before

[Shaggy]

When did we bring this lad in? Because I dont think I've ever heard of him before

Francisco Duran? From Malaga?

We were told at the time he was in the Iniesta mould. There should be a thread dedicated to his signing...somewhere.

[homer1]

When did we bring this lad in? Because I dont think I've ever heard of him before

From memory we brought him in around the same time as Arboloa and people were saying that he had a great chance of making it

In reply to Saj's comments, I think it's about time we started nurturing our own & bringing in youngsters in the hope of them making it but making some money if they don't quite make the grade. I am sick of seeing second rate Utd players that either haven't played or made fleeting appearances and going for a few million to other Premier Leage or Championship sides - it's been happening for years

All it takes is for one or two of these to make it as a first team regular to make it worthwhile - if we can't get regulars from our efforts, then to sell on getting a decent return is the next best thing

[Dhav]

Francisco Duran? From Malaga?

We were told at the time he was in the Iniesta mould. There should be a thread dedicated to his signing...somewhere.

From memory we brought him in around the same time as Arboloa and people were saying that he had a great chance of making it

Yeah, that sounds familiar actually.

To be honest I take so little notice of all the youngsters we sign as we're bringing in so many now.