Everton looking at a number of tournament players
Everton are using the Singapore tournament to reinforce their commitment to bring top Asean talent into their academy and will use a number of youth tournaments to look at players.
The blues have a long association with the region due to their links with Chang beer and successfully developed Tim Cahill and Li Tie.
No footballer from South-east Asia has played in the English Premier League but Thai company Chang Beer aims to change that through its long-standing sponsorship deal with Everton.
Speaking at a Chang Beer event yesterday club ambassador Ian Snodin said: “We have seen some very impressive talent technically.”
“Previously, we would say Asian players maybe lacked the physique but Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta have shown that small men can make it big,”
Former player Graham Stuart was also at the event and diamond said: “As a football club focused on youth development, we will do everything to aid a South-east Asian youngster’s dream,”
“It’s the quality of the coaching and the belief that if you have the ability, you will get the opportunity, which is not necessarily the case at the big clubs.”
“If we can take this philosophy into South-east Asia, it will only be a matter of time before the region sees its very own in the EPL.”
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