Paris Saint-Germain will open a youth academy in India in July as the Ligue 1 champions seek to enhance their reputation in Asia.
• Johnson: Leonardo's return
The academy, which will be based in New Delhi, will be the fifth establishment set up by PSG's owners following the opening of similar centres in Qatar, Brazil, Morocco and Indonesia.
"Well, the goal of the academy is to get the people to know French football and try to develop youth football in India," PSG coach Laurent Blanc told the Press Trust of India during a teleconference.
"But the academy more strongly has a social objective to allow the young players of India and maybe kids in need to know social success through football, and we are pretty sure that the academy will bring such a thing forward."
With world-renowned stars such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva in their ranks, PSG's matches are now televised across the globe.
They do, however, lag behind a host of Premier League clubs and the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in terms of popularity across Asia.
Blanc acknowledged the academy would help PSG in particular -- and French football at large -- make a name for themselves in India, where cricket has reigned supreme.
"India is a great country, great population, and very strong youth population -- so sport has to be present. Football is the most popular sport in the world. Therefore, I'm not really surprised that India decides to open up to football and that's why I'm really happy at the launch of the PSG academy in India," the former France and Bordeaux coach said.
"I think it's a good thing for French football to open up to India and gain some interest in India, and most importantly it's a very good thing for the youth of the country."
Soccer Hot News
Gerrard to decide international future after World Cup
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects Steven Gerrard to make a decision on his international future after the FIFA World Cup.
Gerrard, who turns 34 on May 30, could finish his England career after leading his nation at Brazil 2014.
But a strong Premier League campaign as a deep-lying midfielder could prolong Gerrard’s career at both club and international level.
Rodgers said discussions about Gerrard’s England future could wait until after the showpiece event in June and July.
“He’s coped really well with balancing both (club and international commitments). That will be a decision purely for him,” Liverpool’s manager said.
“He keeps himself fit – every player at Liverpool has an individual plan – but what will be will be after the World Cup.
“He goes there in great form, and I am sure he will perform really well. If he ever asked my advice, I will always be there to give my opinion.
“But there will be no decision made now, and we will see what happens after the World Cup.”
Rodgers said it was always his intention to move Gerrard into a deeper role, the only question was when.
The Northern Irishman said Gerrard still had the ability to set Liverpool up despite being in a less attacking position.
“I sat with Steven when I first came in, two years ago. And I said that this was my vision for him prolonging his career. I felt he had the real quality to play in that role,” Rodgers said.
“After that, it was only about timing really. It was about when we put him in that position. And probably halfway through the season, once I had the players fit that could move and work around him, we changed him and from then he’s been outstanding.
“Steven’s a really intelligent player. He’s played really as a more attacking player all his life but he’s dropped back into that role.
“It’s still a playmaking position, and he’s started off a number of our attacks from there. And for him to finish the season like he did was incredible.
“He goes into the World Cup in great form, and he will be strong next year as well I am sure.”
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment