NEW GOLDEN GENERATION? FORGET IT!

Scudamore says Prem clubs may kill off the young Lions

the top flight. “There’s only going to be a small number who will make it into what are now the world’s biggest clubs,’’ said Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore (below).

“We have 20 clubs in the Premier League out of the top 30-35 in the world.

“Our clubs can buy any player if they wanted to.

“Some of our clubs have 50 scouts in the UK, let alone around the world.

“The idea that a local boy, born and raised two miles from the club, is going to get into that first team on a sustained basis at our very top clubs… it will happen but it won’t happen every week or year.

“It’s going to happen every few years because it’s a global game.

“When you blamed the Premier League for England failures, we said: ‘It ain’t us.’

“So we can’t sit here and say their success is down to us.’’ Scudamore added: “These young boys have done well.

“Clearly the work going on in the academies is bringing forward people who are as good as what other youth development systems are doing anywhere in Europe.

“Does that mean they’ll all be the next Ronaldo or Messi? Some will.

“Some will get jolly good careers at Premier League clubs. Some at top clubs.

“Some with other clubs that didn’t develop them and others will make very good Championship players, have a very nice life and a good career.

“But the idea the 11 that started the U-19s or U-20s are all going to be challenging for the Premier League title in three years’ time, let’s be realistic.

“It’s just much more encouraging than it has been.”

24-year-old PSG right-back Serge Aurier but so far there have been no new arrivals. But midfielder Dembele (right, in action during Tottenham’s 4-2 win over PSG in Orlando on Saturday night) is more focused on what Spurs already have. “With us it’s...