Baby Champions League To Begin in 2010/11

[MaBigTip]

from goal.com - http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/09/11/1493764/baby-champions-league-to-begin-in-201011-report

[size=12pt]Baby Champions League To Begin in 2010/11 [/size]

[size=12pt]According to Datasport.it, a Champions League for European youth clubs could be formed....

The European Football Club Association (ECA) meeting in Geneva has agreed to allow the youth teams to participate in what is being nicknamed, a 'baby' Champions League.

The big European teams could allow their young talents to display themselves to the footballing community as of 2010/11.

A simple formula as to how the system will work has been devised. The eight teams who qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League proper could allow their youth squads to play in the tournament.

Home-and-away legs could be played, with the semi-finals and final being played a week early, in the same city as the Champions League final.

Set to begin next year, the ECA could look to expand the competition to 32 teams the following year, the same as the teams that currently qualify for Europe's most valuable prize.
[/size]

Should be a great way to develop talent. I would watch this thing religiously (hopefully we'll be in it because I don't know what it takes to get into and so forth). I would love to see Adorjan, Adam Dawson, James Ellison, Ince, Wisdom having it all to play for at a young age. It would still be a baby Big Ears.

 

[Ryan]

Great idea that.

 

[Dreambeliever]

What a chance for the youth players to show what they can do.

 

[Ryan]

[quote author=Dreambeliever link=topic=35760.msg941477#msg941477 date=1252644082]
What a chance for the youth players to show what they can do.
[/quote]

Or can't do.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Fantastic idea.

I do worry a little that if clubs take it a little too seriously it may not be as beneficial as it should be. Perhaps a rule about fielding every squad player at least once, or something.

Also, & perhaps I'm being niave to think this'll happen, but rock-bottom admittance prices for all & sometimes free for kids. You'd get an otherwise isolated audience back into supporting the clubs, kids simply dont attend the match in great number anymore, they're the next generation of fans.

Following kids through this & into the first team seems a long term marketing strategy it'd be daft to miss out on for a little short term gain. That said football's never thought like that so I'd be surprised if they started now.

 

[Akakabooto]

[quote author=Assulin link=topic=35760.msg941458#msg941458 date=1252639628]
from goal.com - http://goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/09/11/1493764/baby-champions-league-to-begin-in-201011-report

[size=12pt]Baby Champions League To Begin in 2010/11 [/size]

[size=12pt]According to Datasport.it, a Champions League for European youth clubs could be formed....

The European Football Club Association (ECA) meeting in Geneva has agreed to allow the youth teams to participate in what is being nicknamed, a 'baby' Champions League.

The big European teams could allow their young talents to display themselves to the footballing community as of 2010/11.

A simple formula as to how the system will work has been devised. The eight teams who qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League proper could allow their youth squads to play in the tournament.

Home-and-away legs could be played, with the semi-finals and final being played a week early, in the same city as the Champions League final.

Set to begin next year, the ECA could look to expand the competition to 32 teams the following year, the same as the teams that currently qualify for Europe's most valuable prize.
[/size]

Should be a great way to develop talent. I would watch this thing religiously (hopefully we'll be in it because I don't know what it takes to get into and so forth). I would love to see Adorjan, Adam Dawson, James Ellison, Ince, Wisdom having it all to play for at a young age. It would still be a baby Big Ears.
[/quote]

 

[Squiggles]

It's a bit strange that the youth teams ride on the success of the first team to qualify, which is perhaps a touch unfair.

But that aside it's a really good idea.

 

[Boozer]

So, in a week where the biggest clubs are accused of poaching the best young talent, they propose the ultimate youth tournament that's only open to the champs. league quarter-finalists (aka the biggest clubs).
At least Chelsea won't have to splash out on houses for the kids parents now, they'll dump their crappy French clubs just to play in the tournament.

 

[MaBigTip]

Thanks akaka - Well I really hope we make it into the Champions League Semi Finals this year then.