England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate praises Southampton's youth development

By Steven Toplis, Reporter | 25 March 2015

England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate says that more clubs should be looking to follow in the footsteps of Southampton when it comes to producing young English footballers.

England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate has stated that Southampton are leading the way when it comes to producing young English players.

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has revealed plans this week for Premier League sides to bring through more home-grown talent.

Several members of the current England senior side are products of the Southampton academy, and Southgate says that more clubs should be looking to follow the example of the South Coast side.

"More than anything, they've given youngsters a chance in their first team. We've got some really good academies and good young players, but the key is getting a pathway at the end," Southgate told the Daily Star.

"That's more difficult for some clubs than others, but in Southampton's case they've been brave enough and the players have been good enough to make that step. Some of those earlier players, like Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, had to break through at League One or Championship level.

"But the guys now have to get into the Premier League, that's a tougher ask. But Calum Chambers, Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse and Matt Targett is an impressive roster of players."

The Under-21s face Czech Republic and Germany in friendlies this week.