West Brom coach Richard Beale discusses the club’s youth policy
West Brom youth coach Richard Beale believes that there is a strong link between the academy and the first team.
Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, the former Birmingham City and Aston Villa coach revealed the relationship he has with Valerien Ismael.
He also ensures that the youth team play the Frenchman’s 3-4-3, and it appears as if Taylor Gardner Hickman won’t be the last to break through into the first team.
He said: “He’s great [Ismael]. He takes an interest in everything that’s being done.
“We’re playing in a similar fashion to the first team; we’re mirroring as much as we can, with and without the ball, so the boys are ready to step in as and when they’re called upon.
“The first-team staff have been brilliant in sharing their ideas, taking an interest. They’re getting the boys over there, watching our games and seeing what’s going on. They can then make some really good, informed decisions. We talk regularly. It bodes well for the future of the academy.”
Great stuff from Beale.
This is a fascinating interview with Beale, and he is clearly working very closely with the first team.
Given the lack of money that Albion handed to Ismael in the summer, the academy could become a valuable place to develop players for the first team.
Gardner Hickman has made the breakthrough, but the likes of Reyes Cleary and Ethan Ingram don’t seem to be that far away.
Therefore, the future looks very bright for Albion, and we can’t wait to see the next set of players make that breakthrough.
Either way, it is clear that the Baggies are in good hands with Beale, and he seems determined to get as many youth players into the first team as possible.
This is great to see, and this is very exciting, and we are hoping to see even more players play for Ismael’s first team this season.
In other West Brom news, Ismael has set the fans a challenge ahead of Saturday’s game.
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