ALLEN LOOKING SENIOR SERVICE TO PROVIDE A AT THE SWANS
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I think the greatest thing the academy has got is a very clear and established pathway.”
Long before Mark Allen arrived at Swansea City, the attraction was unquestionable.
Midway through Swansea’s third successive campaign in the second tier, the Welshman was appointed as the club’s new academy director.
The coronavirus pandemic has ensured times have been testing, but Allen has been only too aware of the potential at Fairwood.
“It’s very tough in academies to get your players through and out the other end. It’s a tough journey and the peak is quite steep,” he explained.
“But I think there’s not just a proven track record, there is evidence now with the manager and the way he integrates players into the system and his interest in young players. That it’s quite an exciting task to produce players who have a clear pathway and will play if they are good enough.”
Current first-team stars Ben Cabango and Connor Roberts along with the likes of Daniel James, Joe Rodon and Oli McBurnie all serve as clear proof that there is a route from the academy to the senior set-up at Swansea.
And their willingness to be exemplary poster boys for the next generation is helping to ensure the production line remains as busy as ever.
“We use those players and they’ve been fantastic for us during Covid, in terms of doing stuff online with some of the players who haven’t been able to come in, speaking to them about their journey and what hard work is all about and why it’s important,” he said.
Allen arrived in Swansea with stacks of experience having spent eight years at Manchester City while he also played a pivotal role in Rangers’ recent resurgence.
He was central to the development of players including Phil Foden and current Swan Joel Latibeaudiere during his time in Manchester while he appointed Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as boss at Ibrox.
And Foden – who is shining under Pep Guardiola at present – is another man Allen has used as an example to inspire the next crop of talent at SA1.
“He was a special boy in terms of everything really,” said Allen.
“You couldn’t find anything that Phil didn’t have.
“What I share with some of the younger players now is, don’t think Phil Foden is all about ability.
“His ability is second to none, but his attitude, his focus, his desire, his attention to detail, his passion are things that have made him what he is.
“They are why people talk in such glowing terms about him.
“I don’t think I have heard anybody speak negatively about him because he gives you everything on and off the pitch.”
Allen’s experience in the game is clear for all to see. And he’s used that knowledge very wisely.
Gerrard recently guided Rangers to their first top-flight title since the 2010/11 campaign – ending Celtic’s quest to clinch a 10th consecutive Scottish Premiership trophy in the process.
Having worked with Gerrard in Scotland and Guardiola in England, Allen is now aiming to improve his
already strong relationship with Swansea head coach Steve Cooper – a man he knew well from the 41-yearold’s time in the England set-up.
And Swansea’s new academy director is now tasked with supplying Cooper with fresh talent in a bid to ensure the former England youth coach can enjoy success in south Wales.
“I think he is phenomenal. I worked closely with him when he was England Under-17s manager and he had Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Joel Latibeaudiere in his squad,” Allen said when discussing Cooper.
“He understood the development of young players and how to challenge them and get the best out of them.
“I think you are seeing a very adept coach who is familiar with the workings of the modern game. He understands and values the development of youth and he is not afraid to play them.
“He has had to do it on a high stage, winning the World Cup.
“I have a very close dialogue with him. He is constantly asking what’s coming next.”
Concerns were raised last year when it was confirmed that the Swans had downgraded their academy to category two status.
The decision was made to save costs and means Swansea’s young guns can no longer play in Premier League 2.
However, those inside the Liberty Stadium have regularly stated the decision will not hamper the chances of young players cutting the mustard at senior level.
And Allen believes Swansea’s desire to give their own the chance to play in the first team over the years serves as proof that the pathway remains intact.
“In terms of categorisation, I am quite comfortable with us being category two,” he explained.
“If you look at categorisation, at the top end, yes, you will always have best in class and I was fortunate to work for one of the best in class in Manchester City. That’s in terms of how they do everything – education, analysis, recruitment.
“There are one or two others, then there’s a middle bit where there’s a categorisation, but not necessarily with all the expertise.
“For me, the categorisation doesn’t say you can’t have excellence whether you are one, two, three or four.
“As long as we continue down that path of excellence and wanting to produce the best we can, the categorisation shouldn’t affect it.
“It is about the quality of the people you have who are able to develop players, the quality of your programme. I also think it’s about quality over quantity.
“I would rather work with less and produce more. I am quite comfortable with the categorisation situation and I am pleased to say it hasn’t affected yet our ability to recruit players.
“I am quite confident we will continue to attract because of what we have that is evident and factual is the production line of players from our academy into the first team.”
Recruitment remains key at youth level. Indeed, the Swans signed James and McBurnie from Hull City and Bradford City respectively before developing the pair and selling them on for vast sums.
And it’s another of their recent signings that Allen believes shows Swansea know exactly what’s required from a youth player.
“I had Joel Latibeaudiere at Man City, and Joel epitomises everything as a young player playing for Swansea, he’s got all of the right attributes and attitude. It’s a perfect fit for Joel. Swansea’s perfect,” he said.
Government rules recently allowed for younger age groups to return to training following a significant absence due to Covid-19, and Cooper has included several young guns in his senior bubble.
It has left the youth sides short on numbers. As a result, aces such as Ben Lloyd – who this season became the Under-23 side’s youngest ever scorer at the age of 15 – have been thrust into the limelight.
And while it clearly represents a major challenge, Allen admits players can benefit in the long run from being placed into sink-or-swim situations.
“I’m up at Fairwood quite a bit in terms of dialogue with the manager and watching training,” explained the former Swindon Town player.
“The games are coming up thick and fast because so much was lost. The manager has taken a number of players up into his bubble which is fantastic.
“But it’s left us a little light on the ground back at the academy, and we’re just making sure we utilise young players as best as possible, giving them experiences in tasting higher level football, which is all a learning curve for them.
“As we speak, he’s had six or seven players up there this morning from the academy training, so we’re very light here this morning because a number of them are up training with the first team, so they’re getting that exposure.
“That’s all within the Covid protocol and all the players have been tested. The great thing is these kids are getting experience of being around a first team arena at relatively young ages which is, I wouldn’t say unique, but it doesn’t happen in a heck of a lot of places and we must capitalise on that and make sure that the players understand that, when they go up there, they’re not going up just to make the numbers up.
“Don’t think I’m not going to get a phone call saying ‘by the way, I might keep this one for a bit longer’. I’m half waiting for that phone call.”
So, it’s proving to be a juggling act for the youth teams at present, although Allen would have it no other way if it benefits the senior side.
Ultimately, that’s what Allen will be judged on.