MALKY MACKAY LOOKS TO BLUEBIRDS' ACADEMY

CARDIFF CITY manager Malky Mackay is building for a big Bluebirds future – on more than one front.

Mackay is intent on bringing in at least another five new signings to strengthen his Championship squad, but he is also demanding excellence at youth level.

Joe Ralls and Theo Wharton are leading the charge for City’s current crop of young guns, but there is plenty of other talent coming through the system.

Mackay knows all about Pontypridd-born Tommy O’Sullivan, a cultured midfield player who looks destined to become a Bluebirds first-team player over the next few seasons.

O’Sullivan, 17, is among a strong group chasing hard to follow Joe Ledley, Darcy Blake, Adam Matthews and more into the first team from City’s academy.

Ben Nugent, Declan John and Josh Yorwerth are among others in the current crop to have caught the eye with their progress and zest for success.

Ralls and Wharton have each had a taste of first team football and underline the fact the Bluebirds’ youth academy, headed up by Neal Ardley, is nurturing young talent of real quality.

Few can predict which of City’s young guns will make the grade, particularly if the Bluebirds achieve Premier League status, but Mackay, Ardley and co believe the future is bright.

“We have super-talented players like Tommy O’Sullivan, Theo Wharton, Declan John and more coming through,” said Ardley.

“When we look down the age groups we are getting better and better.

“Where we used to just compete with the bigger Premier League clubs now, at under-nine, 10 and 11, we are beating them. In the older age groups, too, we feel we can match, and sometimes beat, the best opposition.

“It’s not about one team coming through the age groups. There are players of genuine quality in every age group.”

There are major plans, backed by the club’s Malaysian investors, to ensure City’s youth academy structure continues to develop and improve.

Former Cardiff player Kevin Cooper has been appointed manager of an under-21 team, which was started last season and is set to play in a newly-formed development league for 2012-13.

New first year professionals Kevin St Luce, Nugent, Jesse Darko and Adedeji Oshilaja, along with Ralls, Wharton and more, will all be given their chance to shine at under-21 level.

City are also planning a new training ground with at least six pitches, which will allow under-16, under-18, under-21 and first team senior professionals to train on the same site.

It is currently far from ideal that Mackay has only one main pitch at their Vale of Glamorgan Resort headquarters, which means academy players are based at University of Glamorgan Playing Fields, Treforest.

Chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee and major investor Vincent Tan are funding the training ground venture and there are three sites being considered with City either staying at the Vale of Glamorgan, where land to lay six new pitches has been identified, or moving to one of two sites within the boundaries of the city itself.

Chief executive Alan Whiteley said: “It is critical to the club’s future. We must do everything possible to ensure the most talented young players in our area and Wales know their development will be assured with Cardiff City.

“The last thing we want is a potential Gareth Bale to move away. We want them growing up in our academy.

“It’s not always possible to hang on to talent, but certainly we want to get into a position where young players know they have the best opportunity to play for the first team.”

Mackay has made it clear he wants a pathway from under-nines through to the first team that young players can see and identify with.

There are around 130 players throughout the academy at all levels, while City have 27 regional scouts working around Wales.

There are also eight development centres which underpin the academy, providing a safety net for players who don’t initially make the grade.

They can work within a development centre and are able to go back up.

The key factor for Mackay and the Bluebirds, though, is ensuring young players regularly progress from the youth ranks to first team football, whether that’s at Championship or Premier levels.

The challenge has been set for the likes of Wharton, O’Sullivan, Nugent, John, Yorwerth, St Luce, Darko, Oshilaja and more to show their worth.

Mackay will be watching closely for the next Joe Ralls to step up.

Anyone got any opinion on them? Anyone watched them? I saw Jesse Darko against Spurs great striker took his goal well

tommy o,sullivan looks a real jem also theo wharton looks good aswell

tommy o,sullivan looks a real jem also theo wharton looks good aswell

Theo Warton got 15 minutes or so against WBA in the FA Cup last season. Unfortunately for him, he gave the ball away for both of the two goals that beat us that day. Not really his fault as he had no opportunity to adjust to the pace and movement of a premiership midfield. Judgement reserved until he has played more first team football. Not seen any of the others apart from Joe Ralls.

The key to the future.

Man utd got lucky with Biggs beckham the nevilles scholes butt and savage all coming
Through at once. At today's prices it would have probably saved them over £100m.

Oh in case your reading this VT.... That don't mean sit on your wallet for 5 years and
Cross your fingers

JAYE BOWEN
Midfield
A player with that same deft touch and pure ability as dad Jason, a former Bluebirds player now with Llanelli. Clever, quick-thinking, always smiling.

YORA ENZAM
Centre-forward
Born in Congo and a pupil at Rumney High School. A pacy striker who played a big role for City’s under-16 team last season.

THOMAS JAMES
Defender
This Taffs Well-product has made tremendous progress over the last 12 months. He can play full-back on either side or centre-back. Great attitude and dedication.

LIAM MATTHEWS
Goalkeeper
A commanding, and brave last line of defence. He’s a cousin of former City and current Celtic player Adam. Born in Sketty and now living in Gorseinon, he’s been with the City school years.

THOMAS O'SULLIVAN
Central midfield
An Abercynon lad who is clever, composed, creative, quick-thinking and aware. O’Sulivan has already caught the attention of manager Malky Mackay and has committed to a long-term contract.

TYLER ROCHE
Winger
Bridgend-born and living in Blaengarw, Roche is an exciting wide player with genuine ability to go past defenders. He has quick feet, explosive pace and adds a new dimension to attacking play.

MACAULEY SOUTHAM
Midfield
Nicknamed Macca, Southam plays anywhere across midfield and has natural ability to find the right areas. He enjoyed a successful under-16 campaign last season.

BEN WATKINS
Midfield
This Abergavenny-born midfield ball winner is tenacious and determined. He gives 100 per cent to everything he does, on and off the pitch.

CURTIS WATKINS
Defender
A Llantwit Major Comprehensive School pupil. who played for Wales in the Victory Shield last season. Athletic, composed and has progressed from City’s under-nine team to become a full-time trainee.

BRADLEY WICKHAM
Defender
A solid, consistent and effective full-back who earned his trainee status with some outstanding displays last season.

BRADLEY WILLIAMS
Midfield
Born in Ashford, Kent and living in Hereford, Williams was on schoolboy terms with his local club before signing for Cardiff. Solid, physical central midfield player.

SECOND YEAR APPRENTICES:

DANE GRIFFITHS
Centre-forward
Griffiths is a strong, quick, centre-forward. He was ruled out by back injury for a year earlier in career but showed grit and character to get back to his best.

GETHYN HILL
Centre-forward
This Abergavenny-born marksman is a rangy operator who has quick feet. He impressed last season at under-16 level with many important goals.

DECLAN JOHN
Winger
Born and bred in Merthyr Tydfil, John is left-sided and scored two goals for Wales last season in a 4-0 under-16 international win against England. He’s also a talented cricketer.

KANE OWEN
Defender
A solid left-back who loves to get forward. Owen adds an exciting dimension when he links up in attack. Has progressed through City’s academy.

DAVE RICHARDS
Goalkeeper
Richards was with the under-18 team and is a promising goalkeeper who is also a talented wicketkeeper and has played for Croesyceiliog CC.

THEO WHARTON
Midfield
Born in Newport and living in Cwmbran, Wharton is an athletic central midfield player who has blossomed during three seasons with City. He made his first-team debut in the FA Cup at West Brom last season.

JOSH YORWERTH
Defender
A powerful centre-back who won nine caps for Wales at under-16 level, five at under-17 and has captained his country.

JUNIOR PROFESSIONALS:

JESSE DARKO
Centre-forward
Brought to Cardiff City from Kent having played amateur schoolboy football for Bromley Town. He has developed into a quick, athletic, striker who produces intelligent movement. Scored 16 goals in 29 matches last season.

BEN NUGENT
Defender
Nugent is a 6ft 4ins centre-half from Street in Somerset who has been with City for three years. He’s an aggressive, two-footed player and the son of former Yeovil Town player Richard Nugent.

ADEDEJI OSHILAJA
Defender
This full-back from Bermondsey, London, signed for City at 16 and celebrates his 18th birthday next week. ‘Deji’ was in the first-team squad for the Carling Cup tie at Oxford United last season. He can play anywhere across the back four.

KEVIN SAINTE-LUCE
Winger
Sainte-Luce was born in Guadeloupe. He impressed during a showcase in Paris and has progressed through the academy. He has electric pace, is brave in the tackle and celebrates with a trademark somersault.

tommy o,sullivan looks a real jem also theo wharton looks good aswell

Theo Warton got 15 minutes or so against WBA in the FA Cup last season. Unfortunately for him, he gave the ball away for both of the two goals that beat us that day. Not really his fault as he had no opportunity to adjust to the pace and movement of a premiership midfield. Judgement reserved until he has played more first team football. Not seen any of the others apart from Joe Ralls.

i think that was to do with the lack of experiance

From Facebook



Adam Soper
I thought our £100million investment meant we didn't need to look to the youth

From Facebook



Adam Soper
I thought our £100million investment meant we didn't need to look to the youth

What a crass thing to say. We will always look to the academy as do teams like Man City/United, Liverpool, Chelsea etc.

From Facebook



Adam Soper
I thought our £100million investment meant we didn't need to look to the youth

What a crass thing to say. We will always look to the academy as do teams like Man City/United, Liverpool, Chelsea etc.

Adam is probably about 13 and has just been rejected by the Academy

If Barcelona and Real Madrid with all their money still scout the whole world looking for promising 10-11 year olds
then I dont think City are doing too much wrong by giving South Wales the once over

Can't wait to see super Kev Sainte-Luce in action

Thats a s**t status. Jordi Alba was left off by Barca in Youth and turned out to be class. Barca got him back now. So if we have any gems in the youth we need to keep and use them