Stuniverse

I don’t think we’d have been able to field a team during admin without the quality the academy produces 

We have produced enough players to launch careers for several professional players, which is the main point of an academy. Not everyone is going to be the next Messi.
The club obviously sees the long term benefit to producing young players, not just for the DCFC first team, but to give youngsters the start in the professional game and chances elsewhere in the football pyramid. Just because we haven't produced many Premier League regulars, doesn't mean there is no value.
It's a tool for the future, so no need to dwell on the past (even though it has produced a team that won PL2 and more than matched up against some top European club academies). I always look forward to the youth team fixtures to see who the next player to break through might be.

It takes 10 years to get a true picture of value for money based on how long it takes a players to progress from the youngest age group just to the U18 and U21 levels. We have a lot of youth internationals in our academy. Jack Thompson is only a first year scholar for this upcoming season, but will be a regular in our U21 team and is already capped at England U17 level

Joining the ranks as first-year scholars are: Demiane Agustien, Cruz Allen, Luke Banks, Owen Eames, Tristan Gill, Isaac Gordon, Niall McAndrew, Adisa Osayande, Justin Oguntolu, Johnson Osong, Harley Price, Jack Thompson, Marsel Tola.
The Rams’ second-year scholars are: Dajaune Brown, Daniel Cox, Jaydan Davidson, Harry Hawkins, Billy Gough, Jack Perry, Keilen Robinson, Farren Simons, Josh Shattell, Lennon Wheeldon.

Cruz Allen and Niall McAndrew ones too look out for I would say.

Looks like the U18 Scholars have been away on their own training camp:
 

Looks like the U18 Scholars have been away on their own training camp:
 

Looks like the U18 Scholars have been away on their own training camp:
 

It was essentially the 3-4-3 we finished the season using, with two wings-backs, and two attacking midfielders narrow either side of the striker.
In the first-half, the midfield four were a “box” two CMs and two AMs. After the break it was more of a diamond, DM, CMs x 2, and AMC but it went back to a box when Robinson came back on for Thompson.

Was at the game mate , very impressed with Brown , Radcliffe and Bardell did well

Living down in eastbourne, watched a lot of Bartley. Looked calm on the ball and his distribution was excellent. If he stays fit, he will be a good addition to the U21's

The main CB for the U21s last season was Harrison Solomon, with converted full-backs Max Bardell (RB) and Will Grewal-Pollard (LB), as well as Leigh Kavanagh (on loan in the first part of the season) partnering him.
Bardell and Solomon both had problems with injuries last season and midfielders Darren Robinson and Adebayo Fapetu were used in central defence once Kavanagh had returned to his parent club.
Towards the end of the season, first-year scholar Dan Cox stepped up from the U18s to play CB in the U21s, and did well in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final against Buxton.

The main CB for the U21s last season was Harrison Solomon, with converted full-backs Max Bardell (RB) and Will Grewal-Pollard (LB), as well as Leigh Kavanagh (on loan in the first part of the season) partnering him.
Bardell and Solomon both had problems with injuries last season and midfielders Darren Robinson and Adebayo Fapetu were used in central defence once Kavanagh had returned to his parent club.
Towards the end of the season, first-year scholar Dan Cox stepped up from the U18s to play CB in the U21s, and did well in the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final against Buxton.

Looks like Lewis Ridd was in the Swansea City Academy before joining Ipswich Town as a scholar. Has had loans at Sudbury and Bury Town by the looks of it.
And has played for Wales U18 and U19.
Source: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-ridd/profil/spieler/871339

Kwaku Oduroh was in pre-season training today with the first team squad as well.

And Brown.
Of course, some of those listed may just be filling the berths of all these mega-players we are about to sign! 

According to Companies House, he resigned 15th May 2023. On the same date he resigned from 68 other Companies so something is going off but feels like we're heading into dangerous territory for the forum (I.E. sharing potentially semi-personal data (albeit publicly available)) so I'll leave it there. Suspect it's not DCFC related.

The 18s play Mansfield at Moor Farm on Saturday 22nd July at 11am. 

JE: 'Alright Warney, how much are you asking for that Knight lad?'
PW: 'Offers in the region of £4 million, John.'
JE: 'Blimey, that's a bit steep Warney! What about if I chuck Cosgrove in, what would be the best you could do for me then?'
PW: That'd be £5 million, John.

Any agent worth his salt at this level will make sure our name is in the mix.
Same goes for the other players linked to us, but signing further down the pyramid. 
It's why I'm not concerned we've missed out on supposed targets so far, if we really wanted those players they'd be here.

Spotted this a moment ago, Lewis Ridd, 18 year old gk formerly at Ipswich.
 

Derby County XI (U21 / U18) pre-season fixtures


Source: https://www.dcfc.co.uk/fixtures?team=32&competition=&season=&home_away=&display=

Worth a separate topic...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65959914

Derby County XI (U21 / U18) pre-season fixtures


Source: https://www.dcfc.co.uk/fixtures?team=32&competition=&season=&home_away=&display=