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After Manchester United wrapped up a nervy three points against the Premier League’s bottom club on Saturday, many people were quick to praise the display of 18-year-old, Adnan Januzaj. The young Belgian showed a rare combination of skill and poise for a player with such a limited résumé.
Januzaj will be out of contract with United at the end of the season. Following the match, the question was raised to Manchester United manager David Moyes about the prospect of securing Januzaj on a long term contract. Moyes replied: “”I am not too worried about that. I think every young boy wants to play at Manchester United, I have always thought that.”
But is that true? Do talented young players still dream about walking out on the pitch at Old Trafford with the trumpets blaring in front of 70,000 supporters? Or are they attracted to other European clubs and/or the allure of big money contracts?
In recent years, Manchester United has been unable to secure some of the more “big name” young talent. Last January, United were able to purchase Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace, a player who was closely watched by Arsenal. Although the player has shown a tremendous amount of potential, it was never thought that Zaha would be able to step right into United’s first team squad (as of this moment, it looks as if Zaha will be loaned out this coming January).
Players such as: Gareth Bale, Lucas Moura, Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba were all players who were linked with Manchester United over the past few years. But all four signed for different European clubs. The surprising thing is that most of these failed signings happened during a time when Manchester United was being managed by the legendary, Sir Alex Ferguson.
For the better half of Ferguson’s tenure, United had no issues signing young talent. Sir Alex had the charisma, reputation and record of success that made players want to sign for him, while former Manchester United chief executive David Gill had the contacts, credibility and clout that enabled him secure the manager’s transfer needs. Ferguson and Gill always had a clear vision of the club’s transfer strategy and they did their business early in the window. United had money to compete with most European clubs. There weren’t many obstacles for them, so they didn’t shy away from overpaying for players when they saw fit.
But the European market has changed. Manchester City, PSG, Monaco, and Chelsea are all backed by billionaire owners. Bayern München, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are huge clubs with history and money to spend in the market.
Before his retirement, Sir Alex spoke of the changes in the transfer market: “Players are being offered stupid money, the type of sums that are hard to turn down. We [United] can make a player a very good offer, but unless he wants to come to United for football reasons he is not going to say no to stupid money from somewhere else.”
United have recently had young talent within the club. Paul Pogba was a sure-fire first team player. The attacking midfielder was the star of United’s youth academy and reserve squad. But he didn’t see regular time on the first team. He spent three years at Old Trafford and only made seven appearances.
With interest growing from other European clubs, Pogba began to see a life outside of United. Add to this a growing dislike between Ferguson and Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, and the end result was a poor one for the club. United attempted to extend the player’s stay, but he ultimately chose to join Italian giant Juventus on a four-year contract.
In Pogba’s inaugural season, Juventus went on to win Serie A and progress to the Champions League quarterfinals where they lost to Bayern Munchen.
It was recently revealed that Manchester United made a late offer to Tottenham Hotspur of £100m ($160.8m) for Gareth Bale. But the player ultimately decided to join Real Madrid for £86m ($138m). “I wanted to come here whether it was for a penny or whatever it cost,” Bale said upon his arrival.
A few years ago (according to reports), two talented midfielders were targeted for arrival at The Theatre of Dreams: Lucas Moura and Eden Hazard.
PSG came in with a bid of £38m ($61m) for Moura and snatched him away. The player later confessed: “It wasn’t an easy decision but in the end I joined PSG, largely because they allowed me to stay in Brazil until the end of the year.” He finished off by saying, “And PSG’s terms were better.”
Hazard had his decision down to Chelsea and United. Chelsea eventually signed the player for £34m ($54.7m). Hazard explained his decision this way: “I’ve always said I wanted to play in England. There was a struggle between Chelsea and United, but according to me Chelsea has the best project.”
Pogba, Moura, and Hazard were players who United failed to sign while under the direction of Ferguson and David Gill. Now the task of signing players in a transfer market that has gone crazy falls in the hands of David Moyes and United’s executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward. What makes people at Manchester United feel that they will have more success under the current leadership?
If their first transfer window is any indication, the trend of United failing to sign competitive young players is continuing.
This year, with Manchester United needing to strengthen their midfield (and defense), they were only able to bring in Marouane Fellaini from Everton. But players such as: Gareth Bale, Mesut Ozil, Fernandinho, Paulinho, Jesus Navas and Christian Eriksen all signed for United’s European competitors.
While it’s safe to say that United didn’t “lose out” on all of these players, it would be hard to imagine that the club didn’t bid for some of them (if they didn’t, there’s a bigger problem at Old Trafford). So that means players are choosing not to come to United.
How does United stop this trend? There’s no straight answer.
David Moyes is a good manager. But he is unknown to most players outside of England. And the majority of talented players come from other parts of the world. Ed Woodward has little to no experience in the transfer window. So in all probability, United have to stop talking about spending…and spend.
Their newest test is going to be the contract extension of Adnan Januzaj. The player has been at United since 2011, so he has first-hand knowledge of the club’s size, history, and its direction. According to his agent, Januzaj already has interest from Juventus, Real Madrid, and Bayern München.
If Manchester United dispense with their recent practices and throw a huge contract at a young player, and that player (Adnan Januzaj) turns it down, the club’s image will take a huge hit. If they don’t throw big money at Januzaj and end up losing him to another European power, their public perception will take an even greater one.
The list of young players turning their back on United for other clubs and/or bigger money would increase by another name. This is a trend that they need to stop. Or their officials won’t be able to keep making the claim that, “Every young boy wants to play at Manchester United.”

Manchester United's Old Trafford Is No Longer the Dream Destination for Young Talent - World Soccer Talk

Manchester United's Old Trafford Is No Longer the Dream Destination for Young Talent

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With Chelsea limping into the last four of the Europa league, becoming the only English side left in European competition this season, Chelsea fans will have their eyes trained on the future. Due to the fixture list, the Blues could amusingly be the holders of both the Champions League and the Europa League at the same time, albeit for ten days, if they reach and triumph in Europe’s second tier cup final on the May 15. While this will be a cute novelty for many Chelsea fans, most will be looking past that to the more pivotal future aspects of their club’s year; what will happen in the summer?
With a gradual acceptance of their, albeit, ‘interim’ predicament, the Blues faithful are focusing on the positives, and the warm hope of better times ahead. It is all that many can do to just avoid dwelling on the club’s unsightly present, or ‘Benitez’ to give it a name. With the word ‘Jose’ whispered in the winds like a code-word for political revolution, the war-torn London club are hoping for a real upturn in fortunes come the new season.
That most coveted of presences, Mourinho, has been his usual ambivalent self when it comes to discussing his future. Upon guiding his Real Madrid side into the last four of the Champions League, he simply said to craning journalists,
“When the season ends, I will sit down with who I have to.”
While his choice of words are testament to his still active respect for his current job, it remains to be seen who Mourinho actually ‘wants’ to sit down with come the close season.
The likes of PSG, Manchester Utd and Manchester City have been touted as other possible destinations for the eccentric Portuguese; but with Roman Abramovich’s apparent number one choice, Pep Guardiola to take the reins at Bayern Munich next season, and the plethora of talk about the ‘Special One’ returning to the Bridge, there are plenty of indicators that suggest Chelsea fans should start rolling out the red carpet, again.
But if Jose Mourinho, or indeed any top class manager (even <a href="http:\/\/epltalk.com/2013/04/18/chelsea-open-talks-with-manuel-pellegrini-over-summer-switch-to-stamford-bridge-the-daily-epl/">Manuel Pellegrini</a>) is to take the job at Chelsea, then they will be watching intently at how the club performs and acts come the business end of the season. This includes the treatment of the much maligned Benitez. Yes, he will be packing his bags at the end of the season, but will he be hailed a cab, or kicked unceremoniously out the door?
Chelsea have a reputation now for minimal patience with their managers, and for unsavory sackings, just ask Roberto Di Matteo. And while Mourinho’s relationship with the Spaniard is known to be fraught, his own treatment at the hands of Abramovich will surely mean that he will view how Benitez’ makes his exit as an example of how far the Russian owner has come concerning dismissals.
While most Chelsea fans just want to see the back of Rafa, as supporting him has been as appealing as rubbing salt into an open wound, they would do well to support the club as the close season approaches. Benitez is the ultimate test of faith for the club, and if his imminent departure is smooth and amicable, it will surely be assuring for the new, permanent man.
The players too, will be judged by the potential managerial candidates. Mourinho, for one, loves players with fight and determination. It is no coincidence that he named Didier Drogba as his all-time favorite player – Chelsea’s warrior for so many seasons, the man for the big occasion – just ask Bayern!
They will be playing for their right to be at the club, and if they end the season with a whimper, ducking out of the latter stages of their remaining competitions, then the new manager may see the need for change in personnel. But, considering the wealth of young talent to be found in the ranks, Chelsea should also be keeping one eye on the gossip column.
For example, Brazilian midfielder Oscar has the talent to mature into one of the best players of his generation. With his first season in English football almost at its end, the world has certainly taken notice of his relaxed but devastating attacking potential, his willingness to track back, and his confidence that stretches far beyond his youth. While Juan Mata and Eden Hazard are the headliners, Oscar quietly pulls his strings behind the scenes, which makes him just as much as a potent force as his superstar colleagues. Already the ‘secret weapon’ in the Brazilian national team, his talents will be fully on display come the World Cup in 2014.
Footballing ‘royalty’, Real Madrid and Barcelona, have a history of poaching the best players from all over the globe, in their quest in building the best teams around. Players in the mould of Oscar are prime targets for the Spanish duo, considering his flair, and natural exuberance on the pitch. Eden Hazard chose to join Chelsea in the summer on the merits of their newfound label of ‘European Champions’, and his is another name that would interest fellow European giants looking to reinforce, should the deposed kings continue to flounder.
The list could be extended to include David Luiz, Petr Cech, and even Juan Mata.
Chelsea need to finish the season strongly, and prove that they have not been swallowed up by all the uncertainty and disappointment that has threatened to engulf the club. Currently 19 points behind runaway leaders, Man United, the Blues need to at least finish in the top four. With the likes of Mourinho looking on, they would also do well to get their hands on the last piece silverware they are able to contest.
The club need their young talents to want to stay, and to know that Chelsea is still a wonderful place to be, considering that if they perform to their ability in this most unenviable of footballing climates, they could well be welcoming back glorious, ‘Blue’ skies.

Chelsea: A Period Of ‘Auditioning’ For The Club, Players and Managers - World Soccer Talk

Chelsea: A Period Of ‘Auditioning’ For The Club, Players and Managers

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Manchester United's Old Trafford Is No Longer the Dream Destination for Young Talent

Chelsea

Chelsea: A Period Of ‘Auditioning’ For The Club, Players and Managers