From Friday to Sunday, the Henri-Guérin Brittany Technical Center in Ploufragan is hosting the European U21 Centers Tournament. A competition where European football scouts rush to observe the players of tomorrow.
U21 European Football Tournament, this weekend in Ploufragan
In his thirties, Toby is a scout for a very big team in the Bundesliga, the German first division. And yet, it is neither on the Bayern training ground nor on that of Dortmund that he walks his slim figure, but rather in the stands of Ploufragan, at the Centre Technique Bretagne Henri Guérin.
For three days, notebook in hand, he will follow the European U21 centers tournament! Friday, it is on the Saint-Étienne – Caen match that he casts his expert eye. “I am here to look at the French market, observe what is happening in French training centers, but also to create new contacts, with clubs, agents and obviously players.”
They come from Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid…
And the German is not the only recruiter present in the stands and on the sidelines. In fact, there are dozens of them. They come from Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid… In short, the big names in the European championship. But not only that. Some also represent French clubs. Among them, Aurélien*, a regular at the Ploufragan event. “Ploufragan is an early season tournament that allows you to do a good review of the squad some French, German and Spanish reservesand which also gives us the opportunity to evaluate the progress of players that we have been following since they joined their training center. And to discover new ones.
Out of discretion, he did not wish to give the name of the club he works for, nor the division in which the latter plays. “The only thing I can tell you is that I look at all the players and all the clubs. As for the profile of the player we are looking for, let’s say that to perform today in Ligue 1 (a clue!), even if football IQ is necessary, you also have to have strong athletic qualities, especially in our championship.”
*His first name has been changed.
Photo credit: Photo Alexandre Martel
