Everton Manager Ronald Koeman Calls on Premier League Managers to Promote Youth

Everton manager Ronald Koeman is trying to get other managers in the Premier League to follow his lead and promote more youth players to their first teams.

Ronald Koeman is champion for youth players. During his time with Southampton he developed many young British players. He is continuing this trend with Everton and many should be grateful to managers like him for promoting the future of the Premier League.

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The Toffee’s have turned their season around and this is in no small part due to players like Tom Davies and Mason Holgate. Both players were pivotal in the 4-0 victory against Manchester City earlier this month.

Now the Dutchman is calling for other managers in the Premier League to follow his lead and promote young English players into the first team.

Speaking to the Mirror he said:

"“Clubs in the Premier League have bought many foreign players over the years and I acknowledge that sometimes it is necessary,”“But here in England, my admiration for the bulk of talent in the academies has grown massively.“I admire the attitude, the spirit and the values of young English footballers. They have an incredible desire.“I have no worries about their motivation and I feel I actually have to slow them  down rather than push them forward.“Young British players have a spirit, which I don’t see in the Netherlands or other countries where I used to work."

The right club to promote the message

Everton of course, is a club with a rich history in promoting young english players. Wayne Rooney made his start at the Merseyside club, making his debut at just 16 years old and scoring a phenomenal goal against Arsenal in 2002.

Seeing Koeman continue the tradition by playing young man like Tom Davies (18) against such strong opposition as City, is reassuring for the future in English football.

He went to say:

"“There is a different culture here. The problem is that managers here wait a long time before they launch young players.“If a player has the talent, my motto is that you must give him the stage to show it. But maybe it is because I am Dutch and I am used to throw the boys in at the deep end.”: “The great thing about a young talent like Tom Davies is that the fans immediately take to them.“They feel a bond with a young player when he is a boy from their hometown. I know what to do with these boys."

Another shining example of this is the success of Harry Kane at his boyhood club Tottenham Hotspur.

I believe stories like this have helped Ronald Koeman resist the urge to splash the cash since taking over at Everton.

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"“Against City we finished the game with three players aged 18, 19 and 20 in the side. As a manager I feel I could be blocking the development of a few of our own youngsters if we sign certain players."

He added:

"“I could go and get a few names, but in six months time maybe one of our youngsters deserves to play every week.“I love it when I see young lads from the academy knock on the door. I want to give them support and confidence.”"

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If managers actually listen to Koeman’s plea for British player development, the future of the Premier League will indeed to be bright, and many grassroots programs throughout the UK will offer real opportunities to young talent.