As mentioned above, it’s superb that despite all the awfulness and chaos that’s been engrained within the club for the last 20 years at first team level, the academy appears to be professionally run and geared towards creating genuine talent that can either help the first team on the pitch or support the club financially.
It shouldn’t be dismissed how much we produce either - there can’t be any clubs in England other than arguably Southampton that have generated the cash we have through production and sale of young players.
Even at premier league level, When was the last time an Everton or Spurs brought somebody through that played and created demand? Rooney?
Look at Sheffield United vs West brom a few weeks ago - Oliver Burke, Ben Osborn and Matty Cash, never played at premier league level before and yet £30m in fees alone in the last 4/5 years.
Newcastle captain Lascelles and their Goalkeeper Darlow, whose been worthy of cries for an England call up - our academy.
Leeds main striker and one of the top scorers in the prem, Bamford - our academy.
Leicester Captain and title winner - our academy.