Great compliment that clubs like this approach PSV
1 min readPSV’s youth academy has undergone an enormous metamorphosis since 2012. During the tenure of general manager Tiny Sanders and technical director Marcel Brands, it was decided—partly driven by the dire financial situation at the time—that the first team selection would have to consist of more than a third of its own youth players.
And so it happened because the club pumped millions into the youth academy. It paid off, because PSV has earned between €250 and €300 million over the past ten years from the sale of homegrown players. With this sum, the club belongs to the absolute global top tier in terms of revenue from its own youth, and the end of this approach is by no means yet in sight.
Players such as Cody Gakpo, Noni Madueke and Memphis Depay generated around 125 million euros for PSV, but players such as Jordan Teze, Steven Bergwijn, and Donyell Malen also brought in millions. The result is that clubs across Europe are setting their sights on PSV. So Red Bull Leipzig recently bought Ryan Thomas away from PSV, but in the meantime clubs such as Sturm Graz from Austria have also found their way to Eindhoven.
The Austrian Sturm Graz has meanwhile also contacted PSV about Essien Bassey. This is reported by Eindhovens Dagblad. The Austrians want to add the nineteen-year-old defender directly to the A-squad. A bigger compliment can the PSV youth academy really not get.
The nineteen-year-old right-back Bassey has come to the attention of Sturm Graz thanks to his pace and footballing ability. The Austrians would like to make his move from PSV permanent. Bassey still has a contract with PSV until mid-2027, but the club intends to extend his expiring contract. Earnest Stewart therefore believes in the development of the defender, and so the people at the Philips Stadium offices have no intention of cooperating with Bassey’s departure.
Sturm Graz wishes to get things moving and already informed the young defender that they see him as an asset for the first team. The team is second in the Austrian league and therefore still has a chance of earning a ticket for the Champions League.
At PSV, Bassey is still waiting for his debut for the first team, although that no longer seems far off. For Jong PSV, he played 27 official matches this season and provided five assists.
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Sturm Graz thinking he's a first team player at 19 is a big claim. I'd say PSV's stance makes sense, contract until 2027 and they're trying to extend. If they want him, they better be ready to pay for a proper role at the club, not just a quick purchase.
Second place in Austria and chasing Champions League football is exactly why they want Bassey now. I get it, but PSV should not be in a rush, especially since he is a speedy right back with room to grow.
Earnest Stewart believing in Bassey is exactly what you want to hear. If he's not debuting yet, fine, but then plan it. A right back who can create like that should not sit too long.
Earnest Stewart believing in him makes me calmer. Extend his contract to 2027 or beyond, keep him in Eindhoven, and then if he leaves later, it will be because he is ready, not because another club pressured him.
Big compliment indeed, but I'm also curious what Bassey's path looks like in the first team. If Earnest Stewart truly believes in him, then let him start getting minutes soon, not just more "development plans".
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Second place in Austria and they want Essien Bassey right away. That's the risk when other teams show up early, but honestly, five assists for Jong PSV is a strong signal. Let him develop here first.
27 matches for Jong PSV and five assists from a right back is honestly impressive. I can see why they want him, but I'd rather we give Bassey his real chance at Philips Stadion than let him become another selling story.
Sturm Graz pushing to add him right away makes sense, they are second and dreaming of the Champions League. But PSV should be stubborn here, because if he's only waiting on his first-team debut, that's the perfect time to keep him building with us.
Sturm Graz trying to add him straight to the A-team makes sense, they are second and eyeing Champions League. Still, if PSV can extend him to 2027 plus, why sell now unless there is crazy money.
The part about PSV earning 250 to 300 million in the last decade from academy sales is wild. I just hope Bassey is one of the guys we actually keep for a while, because "not cooperating with a transfer" better hold.
I get the excitement, but I hope we don't treat this like a guaranteed story. Verlengen lijkt logisch, but we need to keep giving him real minutes for the A-team, otherwise the clubs will just keep knocking.
I get why PSV wont cooperate, but I do wonder if Bassey is getting enough first-team minutes. 19, 27 games for Jong PSV with 5 assists, he should be in the plan soon.
Sturm Graz wanting him straight into the first team is a good sign, but I am not convinced it is best for him. He has 5 assists for Jong PSV and already looks promising, so let him stay and get his debut properly.
The numbers in that article are wild, 250 to 300 million from sales over 10 years. If we have a kid like Bassey not even debuting yet and already getting approached, that shows how smart this youth setup is.
Leuk dat Earnest Stewart gelooft in zijn ontwikkeling. Alleen, als hij zo snel is en ook voetballend sterk is, dan wil ik wel zien dat hij binnenkort minuten krijgt. Anders blijft het bij 'belangstelling' en dat is niet genoeg.
Love to hear that a club like Sturm Graz is scouting Essien Bassey. If we're really developing players who can jump straight into a Champions League level squad, that says enough.
Love seeing Sturm Graz coming for our talent, it's basically a compliment to the whole jeugdopleiding setup. If Bassey really has that kind of speed and composure, he should be next in line at PSV.
Love seeing clubs like Sturm Graz sniffing around our youth. If Bassey can get to the first team and still develop, that is a win for PSV and also a compliment to the academy.
Love seeing clubs like Sturm Graz coming for our youngsters. Essien Bassey getting interest already just proves the Academy rebuild worked.