2011-2012 Nextgen Series

[red g]

I like this tournament and it's something to look forward to, but i worry that it'll all end in tears - Raheem Sterling takes it by storm, rips everyone a new arsehole and then Barca/Real Madrid come in for him next summer

And make him the first billion pound player

[Shaggy]

How come the Mancs, Chelsea and Arsenal aren't in it and are having to 'wait'?

[little dave hedgehog]

because they're cunts?

[red g]

How come the Mancs, Chelsea and Arsenal aren't in it and are having to 'wait'?

determined by recommendation in terms of the quality of the academies and invitation.


obviously there academies are not as good or the secretary of said clubs couldnt be arsed with the rsvp.

[Roboklopp]

I like this tournament and it's something to look forward to, but i worry that it'll all end in tears - Raheem Sterling takes it by storm, rips everyone a new arsehole and then Barca/Real Madrid come in for him next summer

Seems plausible, or he might do ****all.

Does this tournament really have such a bad name?

Trust you not to focus on negatives.

[red g]

Sportsmail's Simon Jones answers the key questions after revealing the news that Premier League sides Manchester City, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Liverpool will be part of the NextGen Series - a Champions League style tournament for Under 19 teams...

So, the NextGen Series. A Champions League tournament for teenagers. Can you throw a few ringers in?
No, not quite. The organisers want to lay down strict guidelines for the Under-19 tournament but, similar to the Under-21 set-up, they will allow three players over-aged players (no older than 20) to join the squad. The idea is to encourage the use of younger players too, such as 16-year-old Raheem Sterling at Liverpool.

Where are they going to play? In the park next to the swings?
Er, no. NextGen want the tournament to mimic the Champions League where possible. Fenerbahce and Molde want games to be played in their grounds and Liverpool may allow their first match to take place at Anfield depending on pre-season fixtures. Celtic will try to use Celtic Park but Manchester City's stars of the future will walk out at Hyde's ground for home games. Playing at smaller venues is seen as a good idea if it helps generate good crowds and provides a good atmosphere.

Why aren't Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in it?
Organiser Mark Warburton, who is also Brentford's sporting director, and his business partners already had good relationships with certain clubs from his academy days at Watford. That has played a part in the initial invites but plans are afoot to bring in other teams from next season if all goes well as they look to expand to 24 teams. As Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City are already in the competition there was a strong desire to bring in more foreign sides to improve the variety of opposition.

So, how often will they be playing?
No, It will be similar to the Champions League, with fixtures starting from September 15 and scheduled for two or three week intervals. There are four groups of four teams who will play each other home and away. So that's six games each up until the end of November. The top two teams from each group will go through to a finals tournament in January that is likely to be held in Abu Dhabi.

But does this mean the end for reserve teams?
No. Manchester City have stopped playing in the reserve league but it is to tailor the needs of their elite development squad. City academy director Mark Allen said: 'Far from the reserves going away, it is actually getting stronger and more focused, and what the fans will see is more relevant football for that development stage.' As Warburton points out it is more to do with consistency of opposition. Some clubs do not want their young players turning up to face a load of first teamers coming back from injury. They believe playing against similar level opposition on a consistent basis is more beneficial.

Can I watch it on the telly?
Negotiations are underway but due to scheduling demands it is more likely to be on an ad hoc basis if at all this season. There may be a deal sorted for the finals. Clubs wanted flexibility with fixtures so that it doesn't cut across any domestic programme either. Strict TV scheduling would get in the way just now. If the tournament is a success then next year may see more TV coverage.

Won't it just be a feeding frenzy for the big clubs to lazily pick up the best talent?
It is to an extent but some of the clubs taking part such as Molde and Sporting Lisbon rely on producing good young talent to keep their club alive. They often have to sell and this is an ideal showcase for any talented players coming through. By the same token, if you are young and already playing in a top level tournament you may decide this club is where you should stay.

What's the main objective? Money?
The more cynical fans may think that. But clubs have struggled to agree to it in the first place because of the expense of taking teams round Europe and putting them up in hotels. As Chris McCart of Celtic's youth set-up said: 'Our purpose is to try and develop a Champions League player and it will expose them to that and replicate what that’s like at first-team level. We are confident the players will gain experience which will be vital to them in terms of the style of play and the travelling. We can also offer players the opportunity of playing against the likes of Barcelona and Man City on the big stage and in stadia, so it’s excellent from our recruitment point of view, too. We have signed up to it for the next three years and we are really excited about it.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz1Q1mKlDVk

[rodo]

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

[TheElephantMan]

Really looking forward to this - not only an opportunity for our own players to develop, but a chance to see some of the best young players in the World. Does anyone know where the home games will be played?

[Fernandinho]

At the academy ground. I think I remember reading that they will get to play 1 or 2 games at anfield as well. There was already a news release about whree the teams will play floating around the forum to inevitably correct me if someone remembers.

[wavydavy]

They'll be at Anfield surely? There must be enough interest to warrant this.

[frank the tank]

or maybe Tranmere?

[TheElephantMan]

The reserves played at Saints for a while then at Warrington. I think a smaller local venue would be more suitable than Anfield, certainly for the early stages. Warrington would be ideal or maybe (even better) the new Saints stadium when it's finished?

[Mike]

There is definitely interest, just look at a full Kop against the Mancs in the Youth Cup last season.

Widnes stadium sounds best, only because its near me - Everton play there iirc.