Source: Team_Talk
Blues look to Far East youngsters
irmingham are to broaden their scouting horizons in an attempt to discover talents in the Far East.[LNB] The move comes in the wake of a successful tour of China and Hong Kong, where they won three friendly matches as they try to increase interest in the club.[LNB]Carson Yeung, who bought the club last season, is a native of Hong Kong and has given the Blues further connections on the continent.[LNB]As a result of this the club are to open several academies to try and attract the best young players to play for the Midlands side in the future.[LNB]"Because of our Asia contacts, we should be spreading the net out here and getting them (potential players) when they are younger," said Alex McLeish.[LNB]"I am willing to explore the market. You look at the guys in the past from the Far East who have been great ambassadors.[LNB]"Nakata played in England and Serie A and Zheng Zhi was at Celtic, plus people like Du Wei and Fan Zhiyi.[LNB]"If I am being recommended Asian players who are already playing in Europe, then that's too late and you've got to buy them expensive.[LNB]"Like I said, with our contacts in the region, we should be getting them younger.[LNB]"But, if there are any out there now, they would have to be good enough to play week in and week out in the Premier League."
