Oi Lion

The Football Association have so far failed to get in touch with highly-rated youngster Eric Dier. The 16-year-old centre-back, who is already playing for Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon's under-19 side, is qualified to represent England. but could apply for dual nationality when he turns 18.
Full Story: Daily Mail


You aint mentioned this one ever !

Finn

Only just saw this

I must admit I had never heard of him till I saw the story at the weekend - and I´m not alone there as friends that follow Sporting have never heard of him either

I think the story about dual nationality is not for him to play for Portugal but to qualify as a home based player under Portuguese league criteria

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9089819.stm

An interesting insight into how portugese teams develop their youngsters................maybe you do have a point Lion

Sporting have a brilliant academy - only European club to produce two world footballers of the year (Figo and Ronaldo) - a couple of years back they played a CL game with a team entirely made up of ex academy players which I think I am right in saying was a CL first

Finn wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9089819.stm

An interesting insight into how portugese teams develop their youngsters................maybe you do have a point Lion

On a serious note.. basically the totol opposite to here and everyting wrong with the game here and the way kids are brought up in UK.. no wonder we cant produce a team capable of challenging for the top honours..

ADRIAN_1976 wrote:

Finn wrote:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9089819.stm

An interesting insight into how portugese teams develop their youngsters................maybe you do have a point Lion

On a serious note.. basically the totol opposite to here and everyting wrong with the game here and the way kids are brought up in UK.. no wonder we cant produce a team capable of challenging for the top honours..

I liked the way they instill respect and a social conscious in the academy team, but hey Portugal is a staunchley religious country so I guess they have a stronger moral fibre.