World cup winners, PFA Player of the year and Premier League titles all came from this club in france...
When I say to name some of the best footballing academies in the world the obvious few spring to mind; Barcelona’s ‘Le Massa’ which has consistently turned out world class players for years, Monaco relatively new and yet an academy which is producing some of the biggest stars in the modern age and obviously Ajax whose academy is probably more well renowned than the club itself. Countless champions league winners, world cup finalists and ballon’dor winners to boot.
But what if I told you of the academy which has been responsible for three world cup winners, four Premier League winners medals, multiple FA cup winner, Europa league and Golden Boy winner and a PFA Player of the year. All of these players still playing today! It’s La Havre.
Ah the beautiful Norman City of La Havre based in the second tier of French football La Havre the first ever football club created in France have achieved nothing more than winning the Coupe de France back in 1959. Yet despite their league and national mediocrity La Havre are responsible for some of the modern era’s most recognisable and brilliant footballing talents! You often see websites put together squads for teams if they hadn’t sold any players and this has been done many a time for La Havre due to the wealth of top players past and present.
But what if I told you of the academy which has been responsible for three world cup winners, four Premier League winners medals, multiple FA cup winner, Europa league and Golden Boy winner and a PFA Player of the year. All of these players still playing today! It’s La Havre.
Ah the beautiful Norman City of La Havre based in the second tier of French football La Havre the first ever football club created in France have achieved nothing more than winning the Coupe de France back in 1959. Yet despite their league and national mediocrity La Havre are responsible for some of the modern era’s most recognisable and brilliant footballing talents! You often see websites put together squads for teams if they hadn’t sold any players and this has been done many a time for La Havre due to the wealth of top players past and present.
Let’s get onto the reason you’re here, Man City Left Back and Twitter sensation Benjamin Mendy, African Footballer of the year and PFA player of the year Riyad Mahrez, International Nike sensation and favourite of Graeme Souness Paul Pogba, He retired last season but the ex-Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and PSG midfielder Lassana Diarra has to get a mention, the one season wonder himself and Hammer of the year Dimitri Payet and finally the Marseille legend and world cup winner Steve Mandanda all went through the La Havre academy teams.
It may not be the legendary French Clairefontaine academy but whatever they do in La Havre is working and continuing to produce. Ferland Mendy (24) in June this year joined Real Madrid from Lyon for over £40 Million, a high praice move for a player that has gone under the radar. Meanwhile in England West Brom have signed 19 year old Cheikh Diaby from La Havre.
It may not be the legendary French Clairefontaine academy but whatever they do in La Havre is working and continuing to produce. Ferland Mendy (24) in June this year joined Real Madrid from Lyon for over £40 Million, a high praice move for a player that has gone under the radar. Meanwhile in England West Brom have signed 19 year old Cheikh Diaby from La Havre.
Players are still coming through, and clubs know it. Mainstream media may not feel the need to talk about the production line of this little French team but within the footballing world, they are well known about.
In the summer of 2016 The New York Times spoke about how Le Havre were going to receive £10 million from Premier League clubs thanks to the success of ex-players and the sale of Mousset to Bournmouth. But Le Havre’s chief executive didn’t throw that money into signing players, oh no, he knows where his asset lies. “Tanguy said of the money. He could lay new fields and hire new coaches. He also has his eye on a video analysis suite and the addition of a sports psychologist to the club’s respected youth academy.”
Le Havre are aware of brilliant academy they have and they know that thanks to the money they have gained because of the players that have come through it. They can build on it and continue to improve. Keep your eye on Le Havre they are building and despite their league status their secondary impact on the world of football has actually been quite substantial and may continue to be for years to come
Thanks for reading:
Find me on twitter I say stuff sometimes:
@Camy_Deaks21
In the summer of 2016 The New York Times spoke about how Le Havre were going to receive £10 million from Premier League clubs thanks to the success of ex-players and the sale of Mousset to Bournmouth. But Le Havre’s chief executive didn’t throw that money into signing players, oh no, he knows where his asset lies. “Tanguy said of the money. He could lay new fields and hire new coaches. He also has his eye on a video analysis suite and the addition of a sports psychologist to the club’s respected youth academy.”
Le Havre are aware of brilliant academy they have and they know that thanks to the money they have gained because of the players that have come through it. They can build on it and continue to improve. Keep your eye on Le Havre they are building and despite their league status their secondary impact on the world of football has actually been quite substantial and may continue to be for years to come
Thanks for reading:
Find me on twitter I say stuff sometimes:
@Camy_Deaks21
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