Galliani: “Fundamental to invest in youth”

ADRIANO GALLIANI stressed the importance of investing in the youth system.

Milan used to bring to the world great legends like Baresi and Maldini through their youth system but the system has somewhat failed in recent years as very few players made the cut and joined the 1st team.

Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonini who grew up in Milan are now starters for the team but vice President Adriano Galliani wants more of that and says it is very important to put in a good investment in the youth.

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“We’re proud of everything that we’ve done in the past 26 years. We have been extraordinary, winning 28 trophies,” Galliani said during a press conference. “But the thing that makes this club proud is everything that we’ve done for the youngsters. Football is education. It’s good for your psychophysical well-being.

“We want to dedicate our energy to the youngsters,” Galliani continued. “I’m satisfied with what’s going on in our youth department. Both our Primavera and our Allievi are in the final 8. We’re dedicating important economic resources into our youth department. We’ve brought De Sciglio, Alexander Merkel and Rodney Strasser into the 1st team. Simone Verdi and Oduamadi are playing for Torino. Romagnoli is at Pescara.

“I’m saying all this to tell you that it’s fundamental to invest in youth and we’re trying to do it in the best possible way. We signed De Sciglio when he was 10 years old. We went to Cimiano and paid €500 for him. When Riccardo Montolivo was 7 years old, Francesco Zagatti could see that he would become a great player. But Montolivo’s parents decided not to sell him to us and instead they let him develop at Atalanta.”

Milan over the years have produced some decent footballers even though not many of them broke into the first team. There are many youth products playing in Italy at the moment both in big and small sides.

“If we could create many players like Kingsley Boateng, then it would be great and ideal,” Galliani said of the Ghana man. “Kingsley Boateng was spotted at Milan Junior Camp when he was 10, then he entered our youth system and then our first team. It’s the best possible outcome and result of our youth department.

“The results aren’t the primary objective of our youth system. The objective is to create players that can become a part of the 25-man first team. It’s more important that a youth player breaks into our first team, than winning titles with him youth team. The important thing isn’t to get more points than Inter at youth level. The important thing is that youth players develop well. I’m looking for people who have brought useful players to Milan. I’m looking for those who advised us to sign Ignazio Abate and Luca Antonini. I’m going back to those people who brought us these youngsters back then,” the No. 2 at Milan since 1986 added.

“Winning is very important, but the primary objective is to develop these youngsters in the best possible way. It’s important to follow the loaned out players like Nnamdi Oduamadi, Romagnoli and Verdi. They’re co-owned. Antonini was away for 8 years before returning to Milan. But often it’s decided that youngsters get sold, like it happened with Alessandro Matri, Davide Astori, Donadel, Marzoratti. There are many examples.

“There are many players in Serie A and Serie B who came from Milan’s youth system. I believe that Carmona is one of the youngsters who will be promoted to the first team. Our objective is to prepare the youngsters and then keep them here or sell them to other Serie A clubs. Due to Euro 2012, 7 or 8 Primavera players will be present during the first training session at Milanello on July 9,” he concluded.

Galliani has already announced before that next year’s squad will consist of 25 players plus 2 youngsters. Mattia De Sciglio is now considered a first team member after a positive first season with Milan.