"?You might not be able to win much with youngsters, but they can certainly pave the way for a successful future, and Newcastle United are busy securing theirs.
For years, the Magpies have had a shocking record when it comes to bringing home-grown talent through their youth system. Along with failing to identify local talent (like Michael Carrick), Newcastle have consistently failed to develop those who do make the academy.
Only a handful of footballers from Newcastle's development squads, over the past decade, have gone on to successful top flight careers, with names like Andy Carroll proving the exception rather than the rule.
Paul Dummett is the only local boy in the current squad who can claim to have nailed down a position in the first team squad, while Rolando Aarons and Adam Armstrong have shown promise but remained on the fringes.
However, this new era of Mike Ashley management looks like it is changing its policy and Newcastle are now looking to the future. Already this season, the youth team has been supplemented with extra talent in the shape of Stuart Findlay, Yasin Ben El-Mhanni and Elias Fritjof Sørensen.
This isn't enough, however, and now the "?"?Chronicle"? has reported that the hierarchy and Rafa Benitez, who has previous improving clubs' youth systems, are keen to bring in more young prospects in the next transfer windows.
Although, it is not directly in his remit, Benitez has taken an interest in the development squad and has held a meeting with academy chief Joe Joyce.
There is still a lot of talent in the Tyneside region, and that must not be ignored. However, by broadening the net into Europe, Newcastle will hope to find talented youngsters and develop them for the first team.
The inclusion of foreign influence will also help the local lads, who will play with better footballers, which should in turn help them to improve specific aspects of their own game.
How Rafa Benitez and his Spanish coaching contingent at Newcastle are getting to grips with the local lingo https://t.co/cST1EsGkPe pic.twitter.com/TYjRDkFKxq
The new policy marks a big change from the narrow minded, buy 'em cheap and stack 'em high modus operandi of the Alan Pardew years. It's a strange feeling to be optimistic about the club's short, medium and long term future but it seems here to stay.
One just hopes that this isn't just the club making hay while the sun shines. The strategy must be given time and has to be implemented, whether or not the club does well on the pitch. Planning for the future is the only way to secure it.
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