Amen to that. The way I look at it is- there are pathways in Europe and there are pathways in Europe. Some sides/leagues don't have a great track record of bringing young footballers through the system. These are best avoided. It may well be better to stick around in Aus than to go that way. But there are others which do a very good job at development. At this stage, it doesn't seem that it is being replicated here..

The law of averages comes into it. But it's not the biggest factor. Biggest problem is lack of quality back home and lack of pathways back home. The infrastructure isn't in place yet and nor is the standard of senior competition adequate to bring through the best.

Do some of these big German clubs like to hoard players, a bit like the Man City scenario albeit not to that extent? We saw how Dortmund signed up Amini and he never looked like playing in that title winning team. He toiled in the U23's for a long while, before having to leaving to find first-team action in Denmark. This seems the fate for Yeboah too, IF he's lucky to find the interested clubs over there. Ironically with Italiano's arrival on the horizon, by way of 2 season on-loan with Glory, that could spell the end of longer term reservists like Yeboah who are already reaching their early-mid 20s but still lacking Senior football.

With Italiano, they probably see him as an investment. Look for him to grow in value in the coming years with more first team with Glory and by time he arrives and features about their U23s, First Team squads and perhaps loan to German Second or Third Tier football, he may be worth double or more what he is now and a good proposition for on-selling (A bit like Mooy with City)? He's certainly a bargain at this age and with his talent, definitely a potential long-term European pro and Socceroo.

Not all expenses are listed but simply they can afford the risk. They also have their reputation which helps player sales. 


https://www.statista.com/statistics/251163/revenue-of-borussia-dortmund-by-stream/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/283055/expenses-professional-squad-borussia-dortmund/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/283055/expenses-professional-squad-borussia-dortmund/

Sales of Borussia Dortmund from 2008/09 to 2016/17 (in million euros)

Borussia Dortmund revenue by segment from 2008/09 to 2016/17 (in million euros)*

Im guessing it must include player purchases  -

Borussia Dortmund professional squad expenses from 2009/10 to 2016/17 (in million euros)*

Borussia Monchengladbach interested in Perth Glory winger Jacob Italiano


Jacob Italiano has made a big impact for Perth Glory.

Borussia Monchengladbach have confirmed their interest in Perth Glory's 16-year-old winger Jacob Italiano.

Italiano could complete a move to Germany in 2019, when he turns 18, with FIFA regulations only allowing the international transfer of players of that age.

"We know the Australian market," Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl told reporters on Tuesday.

"We are strongly interested in the player, but can't sign him just yet."

Italiano has been identified as one of the up-and-coming stars of Australian football after making his debut for Perth Glory on Nov. 19.

The winger, who can also play in attacking midfield, has completed all five games he started and was named in the A-League Team of the Week following the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle Jets on Dec. 10.

In the past, Gladbach have transferred current Hertha Berlin player Matthew Leckie, 26, and Kwame Yeboah, 23, currently playing for the club's second team, to Germany.

Stephan Uersfeld is the Germany correspondent for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @uersfeld.

http://mobile.ghanasoccernet.com/borussia-monchengladbach-interested-in-perth-glory-winger-jacob-italiano

It's just bizarre that an Australian club can't make the same offer to Perth.

Did anyone see this article from the Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2018/oct/11/next-generation-2018-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football

Some dead-set future superstars on that list. Good on the lad for making it on there

has he played this year?

Still injured i believe.

Grazorblade hit the nail on the head. We shouldnt be letting players of huge potential leave Australia to develop until they are (almost) ready for senior football in a top European leagues but we simply arent read to develop players of that quality yet. 

A few A league players products have managed to make it in the top level however most of them have ended up back home or in Asia due to lack of game time our league isnt at the level where the cream that rises is at the level they need to be to go on to better things and that is a bit of a concern but it is still a young league and a lack of a 2nd div is the main reason for a stunt in the improved product of football 

Phwoar, he could be the next Armenakas.

I'm particularly impressed with how quick he's maturing, he's only 16 but come next July he'll be 18!

Thought it would be interesting to bring this one back up after the kuol move to Stuttgart. He’s played 24 times this season for there reserves and scored two goals. 

I disagree. It was reported early this year he was close to the first team. He went on the first team’s pre season and started games in 2019. His agent has consistently said that M’gladbach have a policy of putting their most talented youth in the U23s where they can get game time and specialised coaching, and a lot of the U23s he plays alongside have made debuts. He’s still only 19, one of the youngest players in their U23s