Source: Telegraph
Gianfranco Zola plotting for West Ham future by using Arsenal's template
The West Ham manager, who has taken his side to within sight of a place in Europe, will follow Arsene Wenger's example and nurture youth for the future of the club.
Zola, though, admitted that if the club are successful and reach next season's Europa League, more players will be required, despite the club's uncertain future.
'We know that if we play in Europe we will need more players,' said Zola.
'One of the reasons we have a policy of having good young players available is that they can come in and do a good job for the team.
'We are going to have a bigger squad next year. I am not going to have more than a maximum of 22 players. I know I risk a little bit when I go for a small number like that but I believe I gain something else. Maybe I will have three, four or five very good young players in the reserves who are ready to come in when they are needed.'
Mark Noble, James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Freddie Sears and Junior Stanislas have all come from the Hammers' Academy while others currently on the fringes of the first team, such as Josh Payne and Bondz N'Gala, all show the future is bright.
'Arsenal was one of the models this club was looking at,' added Zola. 'It is what we want to do. I think it is working okay at the moment and we want to improve.
"Certainly Arsenal is a team I admire very much and to do what they do is something we would like to do.'."
