Spors outlines intent to provide Southampton academy pathway

Spors, who is leading recruitment at Southampton, explained he will take the club's talented prospects into account when building a squad for next season and beyond.

He has regularly watched academy games since starting work at Staplewood last month and was in attendance when Jay Robinson scored a brace for the under-21s at St Mary's.

"I don't think people are speaking enough about how successful the academy is at the moment," the German passionately told the Daily Echo.

Jay Robinson could be the next Saints player to break through to the first team. (Image: Craig Hobbs / Southampton FC) READ MORE: Southampton starlet Robinson targeting his first team chance

"They are having great results and developing good talents. This is crucial, and it's also part of my job to make sure that we have pathways (into the first team) ready."

Southampton's under-21s sit eighth in the Premier League 2 and look certain to reach the play-offs.

The under-18s are enjoying an even better campaign and are currently second in the Southern division, one point behind Crystal Palace with two games in hand.

A total of 12 youngsters were called to represent their country during this month's international break and Spors wants to see those players break into the first team.

Saints set a target for minutes played by academy players this season and have far surpassed that figure, in large thanks to Tyler Dibling's regular involvement.

"If our academy kid is the number five player in their position it makes a big difference compared to being the number two or three player in that position," he continued.

"I have to make sure that they are getting minutes if they are the second or third option in a certain position. That is crucial for development here."

Academy graduate Tyler Dibling has been a regular for Saints in the Premier League (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA) While Dibing successfully jumped from the under-21s to senior football this season, fellow academy prospects Sam Amo-Ameyaw and Jayden Meghoma were sold for profit.

The England youth international's departed Saints two years after they arrived from Tottenham, much to the frustration of supporters.

Meghoma left for Brentford in the summer and is now enjoying a productive loan with Preston North End in the Championship.

Amo-Ameyaw, who had made two Premier League appearances this season and scored in the Carabao Cup at Cardiff City, recently made his Ligue 1 debut for Strasbourg.

READ MORE: 'Great technical ability' - Amo-Ameyaw praised after Ligue 1 debut

Spors insisted he would not have sold the talented teenagers had he been the person making the decisions at the time.

"It was a decision that was taken, so I respect it, but if you ask me now, I would prefer to see them playing with our jersey - you can always sell later," he explained.

Sam Amo-Ameyaw scored his only Saints goal in a 5-3 win at Cardiff City. (Image: PA)"If you just see the pure results of a player being transferred, there was always a reason behind it. There is a contract that has maybe not been extended.

"There is a person who maybe didn't 100 per cent fit into the environment. There are all these considerations - and I'm not saying that's what happened in these cases.

"Not to forget, if a player plays for us, they also create a value that isn't seen on the bank account like you would with a £10million transfer."

Spors is keen to continue signing young players for the first team but confessed a balance must be struck to maintain an equilibrium of ability, experience and potential. 

"We are thinking about the model. Of course, the best moment for us is when a player develops faster than the football club," he concluded.

"Then you let them go because they are heading to a top-five Premier League club. It's harder when you lose a talent to a club on a level not so far away from your own level.

"We want to develop players to the right level because it must ultimately be our decision to want to keep the player."