Rafa Benitez is hoping to
unearth home-grown diamonds in the coming years in the mould of
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.
England international Carragher and Reds skipper Steven Gerrard are
the only two regular members of the Liverpool team to have come up
through the ranks.
Benitez accepts it is difficult for top clubs to field a team
largely comprising players who have come through the academy.
But the Spaniard is keen to find one player per season who could
rival the impact Carragher has had on the Liverpool side.
"It is normal at top clubs for it to be more difficult for
youngsters to get through because of the players that are bought
for the senior squad," said Benitez.
"It was the same when I was at Real Madrid, it is the same with the
big clubs in England.
"I have known senior squads at Madrid with 40 players, and of that
maybe 14 were from the academy. That is success, that is what means
an academy is successful.
"But one each year would be fine. Maybe one Jamie Carragher each
year, maybe one Steven Gerrard.
"It could take five years, but you have a diamond to work with. You
can then do something if you have the talent, you can see it
grow.
"But if I could find one Carra every year, and then you will see in
five years maybe five Carras. Think of the money you would save
with a team of Carraghers."
