BIT-PART LION CUBS ARE MANE MEN IN GERMANY

PREMIER LEAGUE clubs rightly boast that they have some of the best academies in English football.

But there is a very good reason as to why the Bundesliga has become something of a finishing school for the best young English talent.

Everton’s Ademola Lookman (above, being challenged by Liverpool’s Joe Gomez) is the latest English youngster to move to Germany and it is not just in search of regular first-team football.

The winger, 20, went to RB Leipzig on deadline day, scored on his debut in the Bundesliga last weekend and will get the chance in Germany that he has struggled to get at Goodison Park.

The England Under-21 starlet is just the latest in a long line of youngsters to follow the path which led Jadon Sancho, 17, from Manchester City to joinining Borussia Dortmund.

Reece Oxford, 19, is on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach from West Ham and German teams are actively recruiting more English youngsters for the Bundesliga.

German clubs cannot understand why the cream of young English talent do not get more chances in the Premier League – and are happy to provide the opportunity. It took a while for Sancho to settle but he has arguably had more outings for Dortmund than he would have got at City.

Sadly, injury might now hold the forward back in the next few weeks.

Defender Oxford (below) is regarded as one of English football’s best prospects. He made his Premier League debut aged 16 in August 2015 as he starred in West Ham’s 2-0 win at Arsenal. But after that incredible start, Oxford’s first-team chances waned and his next step was vital. That prompted him to go to Borussia Monchengladbach for several reasons – difference in culture, a different type of football education, it opened the door to Europe.

Monchengladbach wanted to sign Oxford permanently in January and RB Leipzig were also keen, but he went back to West Ham, played as a substitute three times, and was then loaned back to Germany. Oxford is really enjoying his time there and it is benefitting him hugely.

Lookman was offered to Championship clubs, but all that would have done was prove he can be a second-tier player.

By going to RB Leipzig, it proves he can play at a top-level European club.