++ [ originally posted by Ian ] ++
No we don't. Ajax finance that youth system by selling their top players once they gain notoriety. Futhermore, Ajax's position in the Dutch league gives them the oppurtunity to field young players against weak opponents in low pressure situations, but also to give their players Champions League experience. We don't have any games that are low pressure and we wouldn't want to sell our stars once we got them. What we need is a satelite club. It would be like the deal between Royal Antwerp and Manchester United. We send our youngsters there on loan and they give them experience. This has two advantages over our current loan system: 1) By grouping our young talent together on one team, they can get to know one another, 2) By making an official agreement with this club, we can ensure that our youngsters get playing time.