U21 Premier League

Jax Teller

http://www.football365.com/news/21554/7960149/U21-Premier-League-launched

The Barclays Premier League have confirmed the creation of a new Under-21 competition to bridge the gap between the academy and first team.

The first national showcase for Under-21 players will launch on August 17 when Chelsea host Manchester City and Reading visit West Ham.

Teams from 17 Premier League and six npower Championship clubs - effectively all those who applied for category one status - will be divided into three groups.

From January the sides will then be placed into three pools based on their performance, leading to a knockout stage and final.

The emphasis will be on playing Under-21 players with each team limited to just three over-age outfield players and one over-age goalkeeper.

"Each stage of a player's development is tailored to ensuring they have the best possible chance of progressing," Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said.

"The new Barclays Under-21 Premier League addresses one of the most critical points - the transition from academy football to the highest standards in the first team.

"We believe this competitive environment, where fans can also come along to watch the next generation of Premier League and international players, will help deliver more talented home grown boys to that next level."

* National Group 1 - eight teams: Arsenal, Blackburn, Bolton, Everton, Norwich, Reading, West Brom, West Ham.

* National Group 2 - eight teams: Aston Villa, Manchester United, Newcastle, Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Tottenham, Watford.

* National Group 3 - seven teams: Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Wolves.

This looks interesting . Wonder will it eventually replace the reserves leagues.

Mushy

Seems like a good idea anyway. Format might take some working on, but that will come in time. Hopefully it takes off.

opr

Coletrickle88 wrote: »

This looks interesting . Wonder will it eventually replace the reserves leagues.

I thought it was replacing the reserve league? I doubt the clubs involved would have the resources to compete in both. Many of the clubs involved are also competing in the Nextgen series this coming year.

Opr

sob1467

Sounds good. Anyone know whether these matches will get television coverage?

Stevecw

Like the sound of this. The reserve games now are pretty much u-21 games anyway. With the 3 overage thing, can involve senior players coming back from injury needing gametime.
With this and the Next Gen European comp, I presume this means the end of the reserve team for the clubs involved?

Paul Tergat

If the reserve league goes then what do the rest of the squad players do who dont get games with the first team?

Mars Bar

Paul Tergat wrote: »

If the reserve league goes then what do the rest of the squad players do who dont get games with the first team?

Well there is 3 overage allowed.

I suppose players will have to be loaned out if they aren't getting game time. Can only be good for the lower league teams.

everdead.ie

Presume the best u-21s will be loaned out anyway but it'll be great for fringe players who are only getting a few minutes in senior games.

GavRedKing

Sounds like a good idea, hope it takes off as often a lot of young guys get lost and dont get enough competitive games.

Adamcp898

Think this is a great step, there's always been a huge leap from youth/reserve league football to the senior team and hopefully this will go to try and narrow it a bit.

What I mean is there has always been loads of players that look like amazing prospects all the way through the academies and up to reserve level but that can't manage the final leap to first team football and, although it'll always be big, I think something has been needed for a long long time to try and narrow it, hopefully this will manage it somewhat.

opr

I can't really find a definite answer but I think all the clubs involved in the groups above have applied for Cat one status or something like that. They will play a league type format from which the top 3 in the first two groups and the top two in the last group will go on to form the Elite league. The remaining teams will form two more groups based on placing. I'm not clear on what happens from that point.

Opr

Red Crow

If the NextGen series improves then I would prefer to see the whole league and Champions League move to under 21. Instead of under 19 and under 21.

I don't think it will have a great effect tbh.

opr

Eli Manning wrote: »

If the NextGen series improves then I would prefer to see the whole league and Champions League move to under 21. Instead of under 19 and under 21.

I don't think it will have a great effect tbh.

The talk is that Uefa have been very unhappy with the growing success of the Nextgen series and will be introducing a new youth champions league soon to try and curb its influence. It will be a cluser**** logistically as most of the clubs involved in the Nextgen have signed up to longterm deals.

Opr