from shanklygates.co.uk http://liverpool.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=890&p=2&stid=8450175 Midfielder confirms Reds deal By James Carroll Date: 2/7/2007 Bulgarian midfielder Mihail Alexandrov will join Liverpool on July 9, the player confirmed today. The 18-year-old has agreed a three-year deal with the Reds as Rafael Benitez continues to bolster the reserve team. Alexandrov passed a medical on Merseyside over the weekend and is the second Bulgarian to join the club, following in the foot-steps of goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov. He said: "I'll join Liverpool on July 9. I've reached an agreement to sign a three-year contract with an option for a further two years."
Jaysus, Is it a creche we are running. I dont remember us buying so many young players before. I am a little worried though. Does this reduce the chances of local lads ( of the fowler, owen, Gerrard, Carragher ikle) comming through. I think having a few lads who grew up with the tradtions of the club is necessary to go that extra yard, to put your body on the line for the club you love. Is this overly pessamistic or do other people share my concerns?
IMO if they are good enough they will flourish- regardless of their nationality. So this can only be a positive in my book- all the reserves/Academy players will have to work much harder to make it through. But such competition is necessary I think.
Considering that no home-grown has come in and established themeselves since the turn of the century says how bad the academy has been in producing a Gerrard, Fowler et al or someone close to it since Gerrard made the breakthrough in 1998/99. Stephen Warnock has been the one of note but he failed unluckily and is a key player for blackburn