Rodgers Aims For More Youth Development

Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers wants to improve the facilities at the club to help develop young players - like Joe Allen.

The 39 year-old knows a lot about developing and working with young players - having worked as Youth Team Manager at Chelsea.

Rodgers has spoken this week about the need to improve the training facilities, and he also wants improved facilities in order to develop youth players through an academy system - something that doesn't exist at the club as yet.

When you are looking at youth, you are looking at a 10-year cycle and we want to improve the quality of facilities,"

"The club have bought into the new youth plan, which will be important going forward, but it does not change what the nuts and bolts of it are about.

"The nuts and bolts when it comes to young players is about developing and a football vision. Giving them a style of football and a philosophy that we have here, as well as the opportunity.

"When you look at Allen, he is a top performer in the Premier League, but when you look at his pathway he did not come through an academy system. He`s come through and had to dig deep over many years.

"He hasn`t worked in the best facilities, but his talent has come through.

"Young Josh McEachran has come from the other end at a wonderful club with the best facilities at Chelsea, but ultimately it is about opportunity and getting the right ones."

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.