AC Milan, Man City coaches to train Delhi school kids

New Delhi: Coaches from renowned European clubs, AC Milan and Manchester City will be giving football lessons to the Capital`s young talents at the ongoing Football Link International Festival here.

Former AC Milan player Claudio Balesini said that focus would be on identifying players with potential and helping them develop tactical skills. "From whatever I have seen I am impressed with these young players. These players need to improve their game tactics, because football has become more a tactical sport and these players need to learn this as early as they can," Balesini, who is now a supervisor at the AC Milan Jr Academy, said. More than 80 schools from across the city are participating in U-14, U-17 and girls categories at the Thyagaraj sports complex. Lewis Childs, who is an academy coach with Manchester City Football Club, believes that potential players need to be identified at an early age to develop them into future stars. "It`s a very good initiative by the organiser. Such competitions are very important to groom talented players. We also scout new talent at an early age in our club," Childs said. Nick Cushing, also an academy coach with the City, said they will look at the talent on display, adding that they will decide about setting up an academy once the tournament finishes. PTI