When the Premier League announced its intention to launch a new, specially devised under-21 division this summer, it was generally greeted with widespread acclaim from all quarters.
Finally, it seemed, the gleaming crown jewel of English football was working to improve the status of the game domestically, as opposed to serving its own means. And although it might not seem like an awful lot to some, the formation of the under-21 league still represented something of a landmark decision. Yet it feels as if the Premier League have a little more work to do before we can determine it an overwhelming success.
Because how can a community judge something, if half of them doesn’t know it exists? No one expects something like this to suddenly become an overnight phenomenon and this certainly isn’t to say that many within the footballing world aren’t already taking a keen interest in proceedings. But far more could be done to bring the under-21 league into public prominence.
To some observers, the launch of a new youth league within this country represented something of an unknown quantity and perhaps a negative one as well. The development of younger players in England already bestows a number of different options and methods to get them breaking through at their clubs. The reserve league of course, already existed. The Premier Academy League was also in full swing. Supplementing all of this was of course the culture of loaning younger players out to lower league clubs, to allow them to gain experience and valuable game time. It seemed a relatively viable pallet of options.
But although the options were in place, the effectiveness of these was often highly susceptible to criticism. The grueling nature of the Premier League demands that clubs amass squads that are both large but also experienced.
Consequently, reserve team fixtures for many clubs amounted to no more than an opportunity to give a few seasoned pros some well needed game time or for first team players to regain match fitness after injury. The culture of this, especially in the last two seasons, was certainly decreasing and the impact of players such as Will Keane and Lucas Piazon are testament to this. But more could be done to ensure that clubs used the league in such a way.
Similarly, the merits of loaning a young player out are similarly mixed. Take Tottenham Hotspur for example: the fortunes of Steven Caulker have been built upon a series of superb loan spells as he’s risen through from fleeting League One success with Yeovil Town up to Premier League enforcer with Swansea City.
But the likes of Jon Bostock, Jonathan Obika and Dean Parrett are all equally, superbly talented individuals who have suffered as a result of the loan system. The chance to blend it at the club and seek a clear route into the first team simply hasn’t been there- and it’s a problem that youngsters all over the country often face at their clubs and an issue that isn’t doing English football any favours.
The under-21 Premier League has offered a chance to change that. Aimed specifically at the age range of 18-21, it caters to a crucial time in a young footballers development that is notoriously fraught with difficulty. Most importantly, it offers clubs an outlet to give these players urgently needed game time, but that’s not solely what it represents.
By ensuring that teams can only field three overage players (and one overage goalkeeper), the league is consigned to hungry, competitive individuals that represent the cream of their crop. The overage element is there as a supplement, not a defining feature.
It’s carving out a clearer route for these young footballers into their football clubs’ first team. With the knowledge that these players are guaranteed to be playing football every week, in a challenging, competitive environment, managers are less likely to worry about selecting them for the first team when the option arises- it should be considered less of a punt, more of a normality.
But more can be done enhance the credentials and effectiveness of the under-21 Premier League- and a big part of that must include boosting it’s public profile.
No one is expecting this to happen overnight or even for it to necessarily become something that every fan takes a keen interest in, although considering the Premier League’s status as a marketing juggernaut, you would have thought they could do far much more to promote it.
Not too many will be able to recall Chelsea’s superb, Lucas Piazon inspired 5-0 win over Wolves the other week. Newcastle United’s side, under the tutorship of Willie Donachie and Peter Beardsley, have racked up 11 goals in their first two matches, culminating in a 5-1 away win at Stoke in their last fixture. But you’d have to look hard to find it. The league is well under way and already producing competitive and entertaining football, it’s just difficult to attain it.
Under the new stipulations of the league, clubs must commit to playing at least two home fixtures at their own stadium in an effort to try and ease their players into the rigors of life in the first team and the Barclays Premier League- hence increasing their chances of breaking through. And the crowds have been there, too. Nearly 4,500 Arsenal fans went to see their under-21s beat Bolton 3-1 at the Emirates. Likewise, over, 1500 were at Selhurst Park to see Crystal Palace succumb 3-1 to Liverpool a fortnight ago. The interest is there and the Premier League have to carry on the momentum.
One possible source of inspiration could be the growing success that the NextGen European youth football tournament is currently having. A recently signed four-year broadcast deal with Eurosport will see a minimum of 18 games televised throughout the season. It may seem like a money-spinner, but more widespread coverage is only going to boost the prospects of the players involved and the success of the tournament as a whole. A similar deal with the under-21 Premier League can help ensure that the division is viewed as an asset and not an afterthought.
Televising every game would undoubtedly harm attendances, but broadcasting a handful of fixtures could help boost the profile and encourage fans to get involved with the new movement and support their youth sides. Ensure that when a gap in the first team pops up that supporters don’t call for some journeyman to be called in on loan- instead, that the exciting prospect who they’ve seen light up the under-21 league gets their shot.
The Premier League must be commended for getting this league off the ground, but they can’t rest on their laurels. The hard work never stops and the next step has to be to continue the growing momentum they’ve gained. Let’s try and bring the under-21 Premier League into the forefront of top-flight football.
What are your thoughts about the new Barclays U21 Premier League? Do you think enough has been done to bring the league into public consciousness or do you think the profile of the league isn’t of any particular concern? Let me know what you think on Twitter: follow @samuel_antrobus and bat me all your views.
