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CF Monterrey has the finances to produce quality players within their youth academy at the level of César Montes or Jesús “Tecatito” Corona and then export them to Europe.
However, for now, Rayados has no player between the ages of 18 and 22 who has come out of the youth system cut from the same cloth as a Corona or Montes. Will the Mexican club begin using its financial muscle to produce top talent from their academy?
Nicolás Martellotto, the director of Monterrey’s youth system, spoke about the club’s direction in an interview with ABC Deportes.
“The initial idea is to generate talent for the first team is evolving today to a generation of talent for first division clubs, and soon, why not be a talent producer with an international outlook in other leagues, with other clubs, outside of what Mexico is,” Martellotto told the Mexican media outlet.
Furthermore, could Rayados begin looking at other Mexican teams’ academies to bring talent to upgrade certain positions where they might not see a player possibly challenging for a first-team position?
“The possibility of trying to take advantage of the talent in the academies of other clubs so that they can consolidate and have a more significant number of players who can consolidate in the first division and, why not, in the future, at an international level?” Martellotto added.
Rayados’ academy outlook
Monterrey has the financial resources to hire scouts and talent evaluators who can discover potential first-team talent in Mexico and the United States. Players like Corona and Montes should be coming more frequently than years apart.
The only young talent Rayados has with a European trajectory is Víctor Guzmán. The 21-year-old defender came from Club Tijuana and is taking further steps in his development. Nonetheless, Monterrey should aim to have 18- to 22-year-olds ready to play first-team football at Guzmán’s level.
Not every player will work out, but the more talent in the academy, the more chances a couple of jewels can come out.