Jovens
«Os jogadores jovens são como os melões. Só quando abres e provas o melão é que tens 100% de certeza de que o melão é bom.»
Tradução de Infinito Mourinho
— Sobre a formação de jovens
“My conscience tells me that if, for example, Baker, Brown and Solanke are not national team players in a few years, I should blame myself.”
— Chelsea, sobre três jogadores da formação na pré-época, 2014
“I promised him that [if he scored] I would buy him a pair of shoes that he really likes, that cost €800. … He came over to me and told me not to forget that. Tomorrow morning, I will go and buy them.”
— Roma, depois do bis do jovem de 18 anos Felix Afena-Gyan em Génova, 2021
“Do you know how many players I have brought through from the academy to the first team? Forty-nine. If anyone is interested I can give you the names.”
— Manchester United, na primeira conferência de imprensa, a responder às críticas sobre os jovens, 2016
“I love intelligent ball boys, like I was. I was a brilliant ball boy as a kid. This kid today was brilliant. He reads the game, understands the game and made an important assist.”
— Tottenham, a elogiar o apanha-bolas cuja reposição rápida deu origem a um empate frente ao Olympiacos, 2019
“If you don't bring kids through the academy, the best thing is to close the academy. If the kids are not good enough or the work not good enough, and you don't bring kids through, then close the door and use the money to buy players.”
— Chelsea, antes de um jogo da Liga dos Campeões em que estreou um jogador da formação, 2014
“But I think the best debut for a young player is in the middle of an experienced structure, where he can be supported. To play so many kids at the same time, honestly, I don't think it's good.”
— Manchester United, sobre utilizar vários jogadores da formação ao mesmo tempo, 2017
“I really like this squad and looking to the young players – there is not one manager in the world that doesn't like to play young players and to help young players to develop – not one.”
— Tottenham, na primeira entrevista depois de ser nomeado, 2019